The greatest cataclysmic event in history occurred at the flood. God opened the fountains of the deep and poured out rain from the heavens for 40 days and 40 nights. He sent it in judgment upon the earth for its great iniquity.

God extended grace to Noah and his family. The Ark, constructed by Noah, carried his wife, 3 sons and their wives, and numerous animals. When God sent them from the Ark, they began life upon a renewed earth.

Noah became a farmer and planted a vineyard. Either from ignorance or enthusiasm, he drank too much of the juice from the vine. He became drunk from overindulgence. In his intoxicated state, he lay down in his tent naked.

Whether by design or accident, his youngest son, Ham, found him in this condition. Instead of protecting his father’s dignity, Ham told his brothers, Shem and Japheth, of their father’s plight. Shem and Japheth took steps to cover their father’s nakedness without observing his state.

Later, when Noah awoke from his stupor, he learned of his sons’ actions: Ham’s indiscretion and the respect shown by Shem and Japheth. He cursed Ham’s son, Canaan, and blessed Shem and Japheth.

Three times in the reference, Scripture lists the curse that Noah placed upon Canaan, servitude. He and his descendents would become servants of servants to Shem and Japheth. The phrase, “servant of servants,” identifies their servitude as the lowest of the low. They would toil in hard, physically demanding work. Not only would they serve the descendents of Shem and Japheth, but also they would serve other servants.

Noah blessed Japheth in prayer that God would enlarge him. His blessing sought God to increase Japheth’s family and fortune.

Shem received the greatest blessing. Noah prayed that God would inhabit his tents. Noah desired a special relationship for Shem with God, God dwelling with him in his tents.

At creation, God dwelled with humanity on earth. In the Garden in Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed fellowship with God. When they sinned, however, they lost that fellowship and God withdrew from them. At this time, God did not dwell on earth with mankind.

When God confronted them with their sin, he promised a man who would crush the head of the serpent. This marked a gracious provision for sinners not required by God nor promised to Adam and Eve in the event of their disobedience.

When Noah blessed Shem, he said that God would dwell in the tents of Shem. Once again, God would commune with mankind upon the earth. This blessing identified a further revelation to humanity of the nature of God's promised champion who would come and dwell among mankind.

When God met with the Children of Israel at Mt. Sinai, God described to them a further revelation of how he would dwell with his people. God instructed Moses to build a Tabernacle with a special place where God would dwell among his people. Later, Solomon’s reign, he built a Temple to replace the Tabernacle-tent in which God dwelled. God’s presence filled the Temple, too.

After many years of continued Israelite rebellion, God withdrew his presence from the Temple (see Ezekiel 10). He remained absent from them for 400 years.

Then, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to dwell on earth with mankind. In John 1, the Apostle John records how the eternal son of God, Jesus (called the Word in John 1.1-4) took on flesh and dwelled among humanity (John 1.14). Once again, God dwelled on earth with his creation.

Jesus Christ came to redeem sinners and to reconcile them to God. His gave his life as a ransom for many in his death on the cross and resurrection 3 days later. His death atoned for the sin of sinners like you and me.

Now, sinners could again fellowship with God because of what Christ did on their behalf. Jesus invites sinners to come to him, trust him, and he will give them eternal life (John 3.16). To those who trust Christ, he promised to come to them and dwell in them by his Holy Spirit (John 14.15-17).

Thus, the picture of God dwelling in the tents of Shem becomes a reality for all who come to Christ.

A future day awaits all Christ-followers when Christ will return and bring a new heaven and new earth. Jesus Christ will inhabit this new Jerusalem, dwelling with God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and all those who came to Christ in saving trust for eternity (see Revelation 21-22).

Because of God's faithfulness to Shem, Moses, and countless others, we, too, can experience God's indwelling. Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit, will inhabit all who come to him. If you have never come to Christ, trusting him for the salvation that he offers, I pray that you will trust him today.