a. It is not in harmony with the Hebrew 209-210.

b. Why all Latin interpreters use it 211.

c. It does not fully express the sense of the Holy Spirit
212.

d. What explanation should be given here 213-215.

7. All descendents of Japheth partake of this blessing through
the Gospel 216-217.

8. Translations of Latin interpreters of this blessing are to be
harmonized with the original text 218-219.

* Ham's name 220-221.

a. Its meaning and reason his parents gave it to him 220.

b. The hope of his parents in this name disappointed 221.

9. It is ascribed to this promise that Germany in these last
days received the light of the Gospel 222.

* Abraham had Noah as his teacher 223.

* The temporal prosperity of Ham's family, and their wickedness
224.

V. HAM CURSED; SHEM AND JAPHETH BLESSED.

A. The Curse Pronounced Upon Ham.

174. But there is another reason for this repeatedly uttered curse.
God cannot forget such great irreverence toward parents, nor does he
suffer it to go unpunished. He requires that parents and rulers be
regarded with reverence. He requires that elders be honored,
commanding that one shall rise up before a hoary head (Lev 19, 32).
And, speaking of ministers of the Word, he says, "He that despiseth
you, despiseth me" (Mt 10, 40; Lk 10, 16).

175. Hence disobedience of parents is a sure indication that curse and
disaster are close at hand. Likewise is contempt of ministers and of
rulers punished. When the people of the primitive world began to
deride the patriarchs and to hold their authority in contempt, the
flood followed. When, among the people of Judah, the child began to
behave himself proudly against the old man, as Isaiah has it (ch 3,
5), Jerusalem was laid waste and Judah went down. Such corruption of
morals is a certain sign of impending evil. We justly fear for Germany
a like fate when we look upon the prevailing disrespect for authority.

176. Let us, however, bear witness of a practice to which both Holy
Writ and our experience testify. Because God delays the threatened
punishment he is mocked and considered a liar. In this practice we
should see the seal, as it were, to every prophecy. Ham hears that he
is accursed; but inasmuch as the curse does not go into immediate
effect, he securely despises and derides the same.

177. Thus