Shem as the Faithful Line of Witness

20Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded^a to plant a vineyard. 21When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. 22Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father naked and told his two brothers outside. 23But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

24When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, 25he said,

“Cursed be Canaan!

The lowest of slaves

will he be to his brothers.”

26He also said,

“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem!

May Canaan be the slave of Shem.

21Sons were also born to Shem, whose older brother was^h Japheth; Shem was the ancestor of all the sons of Eber.

22The sons of Shem:

Elam, Ashur, Arphaxad, Lud and Aram.(Genesis 9:20-26; 10:21-22)

Thoughts: Exactly what sin Ham committed against Noah is a bit uncertain.  However, we are certain that Shem led the way in finding a way to cover his father's problem with grace.  It is that care to be gracious that brought Shem a blessing over both his brothers.  This blessing was bestowed on Shem and his descendants- the Semites. It is eventually through his line that the Savior comes.  Some say that the name Hebrew "Abiru" is derived from the name "Eber" the son of Shem. Shem was the one who kept the faith.  So Noah says, "Praise be to the Lord, the God of Shem."  This was Noah's God as well as Abraham's God.  

Prayer: Lord, may people look at me, see my trust in you, and praise your name.