Chronological Order or Thematic Order (Part II)

In Part II we examine a parallelism between Genesis 6:9–9:26 (Noah's fall into sin) and Genesis 18:16–19:38 (Lot's fall into sin) as a practical example of the interpretive utility of parallelisms.

As noted in Chronological Order or Thematic Order (Part I), the Bible is written in thematic patterns. Each page of Scripture is filled with complete small parallelisms and chiastic structures or portions of larger parallelisms and chiastic structures. These are not just techniques to beautify the text! They have great interpretive value. Sometimes, as in the example at hand, two parallel passages converge in order that we find the answer to a question or conundrum presented in the first half of the parallelism. Sometimes the other half of the parallelism or chiasm contains the answer or clue to an enigma presented in the other half of the thematic pattern. We are about to see such an example. Furthermore, sometimes the two halves of a parallelism or chiasm are actually in separate books of the Bible! Once you notice how beautifully structured these thematic delicacies are, you know for a fact that the authors of Scripture purposefully wrote these passages with the intention that subsequent readers notice them.

It turns out that Genesis 6:9–9:26 (Noah's fall into sin) and Genesis 18:16–19:38 (Lot's fall into sin) are both written in parallel to complement each other. I will present the structure of each one, noting each thematic unit using a letter designator. You will notice below, that each half of the parallelism is simply a chronological ordering of the themes. But more importantly, you will notice that the themes in each half show amazing correspondence to each other, thus establishing the parallel structure.

Genesis 6:9–9:26 (Noah's fall into sin)

Genesis 18:16–19:38 (Lot's fall into sin)

Chiastic structures and parallelisms are analyzed by comparing and contrasting the themes on opposite sides of the structure.  For example, at this time you should compare and contrast theme A to A’, B to B’, and so forth.  The major themes that are equivalent in the two halves are in bold, italicized type for clarity.  As you begin comparing the complementary themes in both halves you’ll see the amazing symmetry astounding thematic connections between these two portions of Scripture! This is what I mean by analyzing Scripture thematically.  It should now be quite obvious that these two passages were written in a thematic pattern.  It should also be obvious that this pattern was inspired by the Holy Spirit.  These patterns point to one source as their origin— the Holy Spirit!  Thus, whenever we find a genuine chiastic structure or parallelism, should we not realize the God intended us to find it?  Should we not realize that He is the one who has made the connections?  Therefore, our task is simple and two-fold.  First, we need to find the thematic patterns Adonai has placed in His word.  Second, we need to compare and contrast the elements to determine what it is that He is communicating to us.  In this manner, we begin to put ourselves in a better position to understand His interpretation of Scripture.  It’s as if Adonai is saying, “If you want to interpret Genesis 6:9–9:26 then you need to read Genesis 18:16–19:38 (and vice versa).” 

Many of the sages of Israel have tried to understand what Ham’s sin was and why Canaan was cursed for Ham’s sin!  Most Jewish exegetes believe that Ham’s sin was sexual in nature.  I believe Adonai gives us the answer through the parallelism above.  Notice how each element in the first half of the structure (A, B, C, etc.) has clear, objective thematic connections in the second half of the structure (A’, B’, and C’, etc.).  When we compare element G–G,’ we find the Holy Spirit–inspired answer to the nature of Ham’s sin.  It’s as if God is saying to us, “If you want to know the nature of Ham’s sin look no further than what happened with Lot and his daughters!” Like Lot’s daughters, who had an incestual relationship with him, Ham sinned in that he had an incestual sexual relationship with his mother!  This is the reason why Canaan was cursed for Ham’s sin, because he was the offspring of Ham’s incestual relationship with his mother.  This proclivity for sexual deviancy was passed on through the blood line and is the reason we read about the strong prohibition of such sexual deviancy associated with the nations of Canaan in Leviticus 18.  Note especially Adonai’s admonition to Israel in Leviticus 18:1-3,

1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God. 3 According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances.’” 

Adonai then goes on to list all sorts of disgusting sexual practices which were practiced by Ham’s descendants, such as incest and bestiality.  This is probably one of the more profound examples of how thematic patterns can help us understand how to interpret Adonai’s Scriptures by making thematic connections between Scriptures that share common words, themes, subjects, situations, events and/or circumstances. Next, it’s on to the book of Revelation.