Genesis chapters 9&10 - The flood was over, everybody out of the ark, and God made a covenant promising never to flood the earth again. He told them to be fruitful and multiply. So, Noah the righteous preacher, turned ark builder, now becomes a farmer and plants a vineyard. Having served God all those years Noah takes an opportunity to serve himself, ending up drunk. Ham, the eldest, to his own shame, exposed Noah’s shame of being drunk and naked to his brothers. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and without looking, covered their father. The brothers’ act of not spreading the news but coming alongside and “covering shame” is akin to “love covering sin.” They didn’t expose the sin of their father but honored him by not bringing it to light.
Whoever covers an offense seeks love. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing. Love looks to restore a person. Love covers a multitude of sins. Noah rejoiced when he spoke of the brothers acts of love. To Shem, he said “Blessed be the Lord, The God of Shem.” It is the Lord who calls us to love others even when they’ve done wrong. When we love others, it is the Lord who gets the glory. Jesus said they will all know we are His disciples if we have love for one another. Let us love others enough to restore them, just as Jesus had done for us on the cross of Calvary.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Gal 6:1