Abusing the Gift of Wine

     During Israel’s history, wine represented their prosperity, was part of their drink offerings, was consumed to make one’s heart merry, was a part of festive celebrations, and will be shared with Christ in the approaching kingdom.

     However, God’s gift of wine can be abused.  Too much of a good thing can lead to disaster.

     The Bible is definitely not silent regarding the affects and consequences of partaking of excessive amounts of the ‘fruit of the vine.’

     Proverbs is a fitting place to begin.

     “Who has woe?  Who has sorrow?  Who has contentions?  Who has complaints?  Who has wounds without cause…?”  Proverbs 23:29

     And the writer answers the questions.

     “Those who linger long at the wine…”  Proverbs 23:30

     And then the effects:

     “At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.  Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things.” Proverbs 23:32

     The most common Hebrew meanings of ‘drunkard’ in the Old Testament include ‘influence,’ ‘stimulate,’ and ‘intoxicate.’ Excessive wine removes inhibitions and gives a false sense of confidence.  Being intoxicated does in fact stupefy one to the point where physical or mental control is greatly diminished.

     Solomon, in another proverb states:

     “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.”  Proverbs 20:1

     Excessive wine should definitely not be the way of rulers.

     “…It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice…” 

Proverbs 31:4-5

     In a subsequent passage Isaiah described those Jews who lived in the northern part of Israel often referred to as Ephraim.

     “But they have also erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.”  Isaiah 28:7

     Not only had the common people of Israel participated in excessive wine drinking, but also the priest and prophet.

     The word ‘err’ is found three times in the aforementioned verse.  The basic Hebrew word for err in the present context means to go astray or be deceived.

     Their excessive drinking resulted in erring in their vision and stumbling (wavering) in their judgment.

     Also in the verse cited, the phrase ‘are out of the way’ is found twice.  There is a single Hebrew word used for this phrase that has several synonyms including ‘deceived,’ seduced,’ and ‘astray.’

         As can be seen, the Hebrew word for the phrase ‘are out of the way’ is very similar to the meaning for ‘err.’

     We’ve seen a sampling of the effects of excessive consumption of wine; now let’s turn to examine the consequences.  

     “Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them…but they do not regard the work of the LORD… Therefore my people have gone into captivity…”  Isaiah 5:11-13 

     Isaiah was describing those Judeans who were subsequently deported to Babylon.  They were preoccupied with their own lusts and desires while ignoring their work for God.

     The prophet Amos also addressed those Israelites who ignored reality by living for themselves and the present.

     “Woe to you who put far off the day of doom…who lie on beds of ivory…who drink wine from bowls…but are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.  Therefore they shall now go…as the first of the captives…”  Amos 6:3-4, 6-7

     Excessive wine consumption was first noted in the days of Noah and will continue through the end of this age.

     The consequence of such excess is also stressed in the New Testament, such as:

     “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (excessive); but be filled with the Spirit…”  Ephesians 5:18 

     One’s thoughts and actions should be motivated by the Holy Spirit, and not by the effects of any other stimulant. 

     And finally, Paul states that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God.

     So then, we’ve discussed blood and wine separately.  Next we’ll address the similarities of blood and wine.

From Blood to Wine

     We previously spoke briefly about the blood and its Biblical significance.  Let’s turn our attention now to another red liquid found throughout the Bible, wine.  In the Old Testament, the subject of wine is found in the Pentateuch, historical books, wisdom books, and prophetical books.

     There are several aspects of wine in the Scriptures.  We’ll begin by focusing on the godly meaning and usage of wine.

     Wine was used as a drink offering according to Levitical law.  In the daily offering for example, two lambs were offered accompanied with flour, oil, and wine.

     The portion for the Levites given by the people in addition to animal sacrifices included:

     “…the firstfruits of your grain and your new wine…”  Deuteronomy 18:4a

     Plentiful wine was a blessing from God, and He would also chastise His people by limiting the availability of wine.

     Recall when Israel, analogized as the wife of God, was unfaithful and sought her needs from other nations, God spoke thusly:

    “For she did not know that I gave her grain, new wine, and oil…Therefore I will return and take away My grain in its time and My new wine in its season…”  Hosea 2:8-9a

     Haggai, one of the last prophets, echoed the words in Hosea when the Israelites, upon returning from their Babylonian captivity, didn’t give priority to rebuilding God’s house.

     “Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.  For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine…”  Haggai 1:10-11

    

     But in the latter days, God will show mercy on His chosen nation.

     “It shall come to pass in that day…the earth shall answer with grain, with new wine, and with oil…”  Hosea 2:21-22

     Joel prophesied the similar future blessing.

     “And it shall come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine…a fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD…”  Joel 3:18

     Thus, wine was very important in God’s dealing with Israel. 

     Another aspect of wine was to bring cheer, gladness, and to make one’s heart merry.

     When the Psalmist was extolling the greatness and mercy of God, wine was mentioned as a blessing.

     “He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and vegetation for the service of man…and wine that makes glad the heart of man…”  Psalm 104:14-15a

     Solomon, the wisest man on earth during his time, concurred with the Psalmist.

     “A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry…” Ecclesiastes 11:19

     Wine is often spoken of as being served at feasts and banquets.

      As Solomon personified wisdom, he explained that ‘wisdom’ was made readily available for any who thirsts, and would be served freely.

     “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars…she has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine, she has also furnished her table…she cries out from the highest places of the city…come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed.  Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.”  Proverbs 9:1-3, 5-6

     Concerning the future blessings of Israel, Isaiah reports:

     “And on this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wine on the lees…of well-refined wine…and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces…”  Isaiah 25:6, 8a

     The Lord God desires to freely give of His best to His people, and one day it will be so.

     “Ho!  Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price…”  Isaiah 55:1

     In closing let’s refer to the New Testament and note Jesus’ words about the wine shared at His last Passover meal.

     “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”  Matthew 26:29

     His proclamation speaks of the fulfillment of Joel and Hosea’s words referenced earlier, i.e. “it shall come to pass in that day…”

     There are also very negative aspects of wine.  Too much of a good thing can have disastrous results.

          

    

    

Ratification by Sprinkling

     Again, this is all about the blood.

     Approximately 700 years after God’s immutable covenant with Abram, God entered into a covenant with the entire nation of Israel prior to entering the Promised Land.

     The covenant between the Israelites and God focused on the Israelites obeying the ordinances (laws, judgments) given to them at Mount Sinai.

     “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.  And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”  Exodus 19:5-6

     Moses relayed God’s words to the Israelites and received the following response:

     “And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words which the LORD has said we well do.’”  Exodus 24:3

     So Moses built an altar for the occasion of twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel and young men offered burnt and peace offerings of oxen to the LORD.

     Moses took half of the blood and sprinkled it on the altar and poured the remainder in basins.

     “And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words.’”  Exodus 24:8

     The Hebrew word for ‘sprinkled’ in the present context means ‘an unbreakable bond between God and man.’

     This covenant was known as the Old Covenant between God and His people.

     The same procedure of sprinkling was used to anoint Aaron and his sons.

     The Old Covenant was really just a precursor for the New because:

     “…it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.”  Hebrews 10:4

     The writer of Hebrews wonderfully explains the impotence of the old covenant and the eternal power of the new covenant.

     “But Christ came as High Priest…but with His own blood…and for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant…”  Hebrews 9:11-12, 15

     The writer then carefully compares the old with the new.  Continual sacrifices had to be made under the old while Christ didn’t enter the holy place built with hands, but into heaven itself, and just once.  It was explained that the old was just a copy of the true.

     It is further revealed that citizens of the New Testament kingdom did not come to Mount Sinai, but to the ‘church of the firstborn’ who are registered in heaven…the city of the living God.

     Citizens of the kingdom have come:

     “…to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.”  Hebrews 12:24

     ‘Mediator’ is one who brings peace between two parties.  Christ fulfilled God’s requirement for mankind by paying their due.

     As would be expected, all four of the gospel writers tell of Jesus and the efficacy of His blood.  Recall Jesus’ words to His disciples at His last Passover supper.

     “Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  And He said to them, ‘This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many.’”  Mark 14:23-24

     And later the spirit-filled Peter addressed his first epistle with the following words:

     “…elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 1:2

     Peter explains that the ‘elect’ were chosen according to the foreordained (predestined) plan of God.  Believers are then sanctified (set aside) by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God through obedience.  The elect are justified and on their way to glorification.

     And finally, Peter confirms that the new covenant was ratified, or mediated, by the blood of Christ.

     All sin must be dealt with, and the wages of sin is death, or the blood of the offender.  One must either pay for their sins or accept the shed blood of the one who perfectly fulfilled the law, i.e. the sinless Christ.

     It is all about the blood which is the scarlet thread found throughout the Bible.

    

    

    

   

    

    

    

Blood in Ratifying Covenants

     There were several ways that blood was used in the ratification of covenants with God.

     The present focus will be on the cutting in half of sacrificial animals and the participants of the covenant walking between the two halves.

     The cutting in half of the animals was proof that the blood of the animals was shed.

     If either of the parties involved in the covenant, or treaty, did not live up to the terms of the covenant, they would end up like the slain animals.

     A very detailed example is found in Jeremiah’s prophecy.  The time was 586 BC.  The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and the other remaining cities in Judah.  Deportation of the Jews to Babylon had already happened.  Zedekiah was Judah’s final king at the time.

     The specific example illustrated was the freeing of slaves of the Jews at the agreed upon time period of 7 years.

     When reminded that the 850 year old law was still valid, all the Jews agreed to abide by it.  But then the pressure from Nebuchadnezzar lessened and the slave owners reneged.  

     “But afterward they changed their minds and made the male and female slaves return, whom they had set free, and brought them into subjection…”  Jeremiah 34:11

     God, speaking through Jeremiah, spoke harshly against the breakers of the covenant.  God, in a cynical manner spoke thusly:

     “‘Behold I proclaim liberty to you,’ says the LORD, ‘to the sword, to pestilence and to famine!’”  Jeremiah 34:17

     Then God pronounced specific judgment on the covenant breakers as He reminded them of the covenant the Jews ratified shortly after their deliverance from Egypt.

     “And I will give the men who…have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between the parts of it – the princes of Judah…the priests…into the hand of their enemies…”  Jeremiah 34:18-20a

     Note particularly that both government leaders and priests ratified the covenant between Judah and God.  The covenant applied to all Jews.

     The fate of the covenant breakers?

     “…Their dead bodies shall be for meat for the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the earth.”  Jeremiah 34:20b

     Now let’s go back to the first such covenant where animals were cut in half and the covenant participants passed between the divided animals.

     The time was approximately 2075 BC.  The covenant participants were Abram (Abraham) and God.

     Provisions of the covenant included, but not limited to, the bondage and subsequent delivery of Abram and his descendants from Egypt and the future extent of the Promised Land from the river in Egypt to the great river Euphrates.

     Abram was instructed to bring to God a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram and several birds.

     Then he (Abram) brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other…”  Genesis 15:10

     The blood of the animals was shed by their being cut in two, and the covenant was about to be ratified.

     “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram…And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.”  Genesis 15:12a, 17 

     Abram slept through the ratification process.  Only God passed between the parts of the slain animals that had shed their blood.

     Thus only God was required to abide by the terms of the covenant!  The covenant was unconditional!

     Note:  The words ‘cut’ and ‘divided’ are used interchangeably.  Tradition reveals that the phase ‘to cut a treaty’ stems from ancient Jewish law.

     When God spoke through the prophet Zechariah to the returning Jewish remnant after their 70 year Babylonian captivity, He referred to His ancient covenant with Abram.

     “As for you…because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free…even today I declare that I will restore double to you…”  Zechariah 9:11-12

     God’s covenant with Israel is forever, inasmuch as He is solely responsible for its terms.  God’s attributes confirm that He cannot break His covenant with Abram or his descendants.