171. Also the punishment of this wickedness is carefully set before us. Noah, looked upon by his son as a foolish, insane, and ridiculous old man, now steps forth in the majesty of a prophet, to announce to his son a divine revelation of future events. Truly does Paul declare that "power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12, 9); for the certainty characterizing Noah's utterance is proof that he was filled with the Holy Spirit, notwithstanding that his son had mocked and despised him as one utterly deserted by the Holy Spirit. 172. I will not attempt here to settle the question above referred to (ch 5, para 95) concerning the order of the sons of Noah, as to which of them was the first-born and which the youngest. A point more worthy of our attention is the fact that the Holy Spirit is so filled with strong wrath against that disobedient and scornful son that he does not even choose to call him by his own name, but calls him Canaan after the name of his son. Some say that, because God had desired to save Ham in the ark as one under his blessing the same as the others, he had no wish to curse him, but cursed Canaan instead, a curse which, nevertheless, could not but recoil upon Ham who had provoked it. Thus Ham's name perishes here, since the Holy Spirit hates it, whose hatred is, indeed, a serious hatred. We read in the psalm, "I hate them with perfect hatred" (Ps 139, 22). When the Holy Spirit exercises his wrath, eternal death must follow. 173. Although Ham had sinned against his father in many ways, it is remarkable that the fruit of the first sin and the devil's malice did not become manifest until the father lay drunk and bare. When, with this sin, the previous ones had attained to fullness of power and growth, the Holy Spirit condemned him, and, as a warning to others, also announced the infliction of impending, endless servitude. V. 26. _And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Shem; and let Canaan be his servant._ These are two sublime prophecies, worthy of close attention. They have significance in our time, though they were grossly garbled by the Jews. The Jews observe that Ham is cursed thrice; this fact they wrest to the glory of their own nation, promising themselves worldly dominion. V. HAM CURSED; SHEM AND JAPHETH BLESSED. A. THE CURSE PRONOUNCED UPON HAM 174-188. 1. Why Ham was thrice cursed 174. * Disrespect of parents, pastors and authority signs of approaching misfortune 175. 2. Way Ham disregarded the curse 176. 3. Why Ham disregarded the curse 177-178. 4. Ham's temporal prosperity continued with his curse 179-181. * Faith alone grasps God's threatenings and promises 180-181. * Reason God postpones punishment and reward 181-182. * The Papal Church is not the true Church 183. * Believers have comfort in their tribulations 184-185. * The pious have their kingdom here in faith 186.