AWAKE, ARISE, AND TRIUMPH
Tuesday – September 28, 2021, Tishrei 22, 5782
STRONG DRINK CONSEQUENCES
Greetings dear and precious saints of God, my brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of God. Welcome back to this enlightening and empowering study of the Book of Isaiah. Please take a few moments to share these teachings as widely as possible expanding our reach with the good news. God is so good dear ones to give us His Word that we can choose to walk in the light. Light or darkness, it is always our choice. The featured picture details some of the consequences from drinking alcohol. One extraordinarily important consequence from alcoholism not focused on is the negative impact on all aspects of family life. Before I go further with this discussion please read our primary Bible text aloud, yes, out loud.
Isaiah 5:11-13 (KJV)
11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.
13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
It seems that verse eleven is clearly describing a person who is an alcoholic, one whose life is mastered by alcohol. As we read down through our text above and come to verse thirteen, we are told this why the people of God are in captivity. As we think or meditate upon this, we will recall that from the start of this Book to now God has delineated a litany of sins found among His people has resulted in stealing, killing, and destroying in their lives and separated them from Him. What is the bottom line mentioned in verse thirteen? They have gone into captivity, bondages of all sorts, because they have no knowledge! Wow! Who is responsible for our fund of knowledge? As I write this, I am struck by the fact that some denominations have focused on knowledge but have a very narrow exercise of that knowledge. Others have minimized knowledge and the exercise of it and instead emphasize emotions and the exercise of certain gifts like the immature Church at Corinth. While still others have neither. I will return to this discussion of knowledge.
I will now spend some time speaking directly about the alcohol issue. First let me point out that although alcohol (strong drink) is specifically mentioned I believe this represents any number of addictions or ungodly pursuits that occupy one’s time. Anything that distracts a person from their Kingdom of God work and the manifesting of the Power of God in their lives tell us they are in captivity to that pursuit. This can be alcohol, a career, another person, and so on. I realize that the use of alcohol among Christians is somewhat controversial. I am not aware of a prohibition by God concerning His people drinking “strong drink” however it is clear in many places that drunkenness is prohibited and is sin.
Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Here again there is no prohibition of strong drink but drunkenness is mentioned. This passage which precedes listing the fruits of the spirit tell us that the consequence of drunkenness is not inheriting the kingdom of God. So, is the Christian that has a glass of wine with dinner or a cold beer on a hot day sinning? At the risk of being strung up and perhaps tarred and feathered my response is: no, they are not in sin. Is it wise? No. We must be aware of who is watching and avoid the appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians the tenth chapter has a lengthy discourse about eating meats sacrificed to idols and I believe that discourse addresses this question about alcohol. I suggest you read it in the Message Bible. I am not advocating that anyone drink alcoholic beverages while at the same time making the point that “social drinking” is not sin. Who controls who? Eating food is right and necessary however gluttony is forbidden, it is a sin (Deuteronomy 20:20-21, Proverbs 23:21).
Let me end for today with this. Some years ago, I asked a well-known evangelist about Christians and alcohol. His answer was somewhat surprising but enlightening. He related an account of having been in Germany and pulling over to help people whose car had broken down. These people appreciated the help. They were a rock and roll band and offered free admission to their performance at a bar in the next town. This evangelist and entourage accepted on the condition he could share the gospel at the intermission to which they agreed. When he returned to his seat from sharing the gospel it turned out there were Americans at an adjacent table. These American’s looked at what they were drinking and when they saw it was soft drinks their comment was that this Evangelist was the real thing. The Germans would have thought no different either way. Because alcohol is considered a sin in America, the Americans would have been negatively impacted, instead a good seed was sown.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here tomorrow and we will dive into captivity due to no knowledge.
2 Chronicles 20:20 b (KJV)
20 … Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.
Until our next publication, as your Bible Teacher and a Prophetic Voice in your life I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it, believe it, doubt it not, and speak over yourself and your family by faith in Jesus’ name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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