For Ham to have seen Noah, his father, in that state by accident was not his fault.

But he showed no repect for his father, by broadcasting this humiliating incident.

Ham was married, and was therefore not a child, but the Lord still expects us to honour our parents.

He also wants us to have respect, for those older than ourselves, and for those in authority.

It is: "Honour your father and your mother, so that it may go well with you, and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."

Even when your parents do things which annoy you, or do humiliating, and embarrassing things.

Our parents may do things which are antagonistic to our faith.

We don't have to approve of those negative things, but we are still required to show respect to our parents.

I believe that the Lord, would have no problem with us putting our point of view across, but in a respectful way.

"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. ...Treat older women as mothers." (1 Timothy 5)

So the same rules apply, we need to have respect for those who are older than ourselves.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority, except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." (Romans 13:1-2)

That's interesting, and we thought we lived in a democratic country!

Paul continues: "Consequently, he who rebels against the authority, is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do, will bring judgement on themselves."

The tyrannical Roman Empire held it's iron grip on many nations, and Paul was saying that God had placed them there!

He obviously had heard, or seen, the cruelty carried out by the authorities.

But even in the light of this, Paul said, submit to those authorities.

He was in effect saying, 'You have got to behave perfectly, trust in the Lord, and He is more than able to deal out His justice, but for now He is working out His purposes, and we're just too small, and ignorant to understand His ways, so trust Him, and submit to these authorities.'

It is good for us to vote, but ultimately it is the Lord who places people in power.

If the ruler takes advantage of his position, the Lord will deal with him sooner or later.

And from Proverbs 29:14 we see that, if he is fair in his governing, then he will be secure.

So, the laws of the land are there for us to obey, and not to see how far we can stretch them.

If we do not respect the authorities, and their laws, then we are treading on dangerous ground.

We would be rebelling against God, and we will experience His heavy hand upon us.

Peter summed up what we have been talking about, he wrote:

"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honour the King." (1 Peter 2:17)

Ark image: thanks to ‘The Pictorial Dictionary’ published by The Educational Book Company, London.