The first mention of wine in the Bible gives us a bit of foreshadowing concerning what we’ll see in the rest of the Old Testament: “Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father’s nakedness.” (Genesis 9:20-23) Wine is a principal crop, a sign of fertility and well-being. At the same time, the misuse of wine can lead to shame (see also the story of Lot and his daughters in Genesis 19:30-38). In the usual style of Genesis, no moralizing is done in this story. However, it’s clear that Noah feels no responsibility for what has happened; the sin was Ham’s, and the consequence of that sin fell squarely on Canaan.
Wine also seems to have played a role in the sin of Nadab and Abihu, since it is in the context of this story that God announces that priests are not to drink when performing their temple duties. (Leviticus 10:9)
Nazirites were not to drink wine as part of their vow. (nor were they to eat any product made from grapes). This prohibition reminds us that consuming all of the products made from grapes was common at that time.
Wine occurs in lists of blessings that God gives to people (Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 7:13; 11:14; 33:28). As such, it was offered back to God as an offering, in daily offerings (Exodus 29:40), burnt offerings (Numbers 15:1-12; 28:7-10; 29) and the wave offering (Leviticus 23:13). Note that Numbers 28:7 talks about strong wine or strong drink; this would correspond to the principle that only the best was to be offered to God. This would be pure, undiluted wine, possibly “vintage stock.” One of the curses for disobedience to God was that the people would have no wine (Deuteronomy 28:39). Part of the hardship that the people suffered during the 40 years in the wilderness was the fact that they had neither wine nor strong drink (Deuteronomy 29:2-6).
Wine was part of the tithe that people ate to show their gratitude to God at harvest time (Deuteronomy 12:17). The description of this tithe sheds light on the use of alcohol in the Old Testament: “You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there, then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.” (Deuteronomy 14:22-26) Both wine and strong drink were to be consumed as part of the worshiper’s response to God. God not only allowed their use; he instructed his people to consume them.
There’s one more thing that’s important to point out as we study the Pentateuch. Apart from the cautionary value of the stories of Noah, Lot, Nadab and Abihu, there is no condemnation of drinking nor drunkenness in the Law of Moses. [Edit, January 15, 2011: Daniel Haynes pointed out Deuteronomy 21:20; I should modify this statement to say “there is no direct condemnation of drinking nor drunkenness…”] In the first five books of the Bible, wine and other fermented beverages are a blessing from God, used in worshiping God. Their absence is seen as a hardship and a curse.
Let me go ahead and address the criticism that is coming: “So you’re advocating….” No, I’m not. For now, I’m trying to get a handle on what the Bible says. I’d ask that we wait for the discussions of the horrors of alcohol abuse or the examination of other biblical passages. If you have reflections on these passages or want to mention other passages from Genesis-Deuteronomy (there are more), please share your thoughts.
[I’m largely refraining from commenting on comments, trying to present my thoughts bit by bit. Toward the end of the series, I’ll try and be more interactive.]
Previous posts in this series:
The Christian and Alcohol (Alcohol abuse)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 2 (Alcohol in the history of the U.S.)
The Christian and Alcohol, Part 3 (Seeing what the Bible says about alcohol)
Tim,
Either you are advocating it or your not. So just be upfront and say it. Unless you honestly don’t know your conclusion.
So priests couldn’t drink strong drink in service but worshippers could? Do you believe that? Do you think they were worship God drunk?
I don’t know what your quoting but the NIV uses “new wine” in the section where it specifically says they are to eat.
Hi Joe.
My opinion is that the problem with many biblical studies on this subject is that they decide up front what they believe, then they look at the passages. I hope to present an objective study of what the Scriptures say.
Regarding your objections:
(1) Priests were not to drink when they entered the Tent of Meeting. That happened only at certain times. Ordinary worshipers didn’t enter the Tent of Meeting, so that prohibition would have no meaning for them. Do I believe that people were to drink “strong drink” as part of their worship to God? Yes, I believe Deuteronomy 14.
(2) The NIV uses “fermented drink” in Deuteronomy 14:26. The KJV says “strong drink,” as does the ESV, which I quoted. The entry in Strong’s says:
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I might mention that the NIV never uses the phrase “strong drink.” If memory serves, that phrase has been used in the comments on previous posts, so it seemed helpful to reference the phrase that was under discussion. That’s why I used the ESV.
The first part of the text in the NIV where they are told to drink uses, NEW WINE. Check out VS 23. They could buy strong drink, or whatever their heart desired. Perhaps they diluted this as was a custom often times to do so. You still have to reconcile the fact that the Bible condemns strong drink.
You also seem to equate all wine with alcoholic drinks. This idea doesn’t hold up.
Joe
OK, I’m remembering why I wrote the last post and why I was going to stay out of the comments for now. Oh, well… if I’m in, I’m in, at least for the moment.
“Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice.” (Deuteronomy 14:26)
I’m not sure if Joe is arguing that verse 26 is saying they were to buy these things but not use them. That doesn’t make sense to me, but maybe it does to him.
As for bringing in other texts, well, all in good time.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I was saying that vs 23 says, “Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord.”
Yes Vs 26 says if the place is too distant they can go buy “wine” or “strong drink.”
Did they drink it full strength is my question? We know often they didn’t.
Is the word wine in the Bible always alcoholic?
In the spirit of Pentateuch, I may try to get my wife drunk tonight! After reading Joe’s comments, I may have a few drinks myself. For that matter, it might do Joe some good to have a glass of wine.
I think it was “grape juice”…..or maybe “cranberry juice”…..I decided my conclusion before I read the Bible…..therefore I stand on the “juice” as my final answer….(ok, i will go forward sun am)..lol..
Trent,
What is wrong with grapce juice? If you study this topic there is a lot of confusion. He commanded them to eat and drink their food and new wine Vs 23. ( New Wine is not alcoholic) But if they go and buy products after traveling they may buy other products to eat and drink. It lists strong drink. However it was common to dilute wine. Now if they are drinking it straight they go against what other scriptures teach that “STRONG DRINK” is a brawler.
Do we have to have a prohibition to know what is evil. Find me the verse that tells christian not to use heroin, marijuana, LSD etc.
It does tells to be SOBER minded. I urge you to look up that word. It refers in a broad way to not being intoxicated or in a state or spiritual or emotional drunkeness. So the idea is to have a clear mind.
You know how much beer, a beer company will let you consome and operate a truck or heavy machine equipment. NONE. How can we handle the word of God correctly if we are consuming that which slows our mind and clouds our thoughts.
A priest serving God is to not consume alcoohol. Are you a priest of God?
Joe,
You are correct in stating that the Bible does not specifically condemn heroin, LSD, or marijuana. I also don’t see where it condemns caffeine or tobacco. Where do we draw the line? Somewhere between the two? What’s the rationale?
We are letting society dictate our conversation and not Scripture. I applaud Tim for his study of the text itself.
A royal preisthood we are…good reminder, thanks bro.
I do not underestimate God’s Words against the abuse of alcohol and the destruction that alcohol brings into a family, but I believe our “approach” to such issues need to be a bit more pastoral and caring than we (CofC) have been in the past. Good words and discussion from all indeed, I have learned a great deal.
Trent
I’m curious how many of the regulations concerning Old Testament priests we wish to bind on New Testament Christians.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Some of us still cannot prevent them selves from “helping God” out.
The church when I was raised taught it was a sin to dance and to go mixed swimming.
The truth is neither is the case.
The sin under the new Covenant is “do not lust”
It is not a sin to do either.
Why can’t we just stick with what the bible teaches?
What is our problem?
God deosn’t need “US” in our brillance making up Laws where he never gave them.
If we have lost our credibility this is why! Making up laws and rules for “worship,” and what activities followers may or not participate in.
When will we ever wake up?
Joe,
Don’t forget the other possibility… we may have misunderstood what the other passage said about “strong drink.” If our understanding of that passage contradicts this one, it’s only fair to re-examine it.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Tim,
What are your thoughts on 1 Sam. 1.12-17?
Is it proof mom was right? If you talk to yourself people will think your crazy…lol.
Steve Valentine
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6cxNR9ML8k
Pingback: The Christian and Alcohol, Part 5 | TimothyArcher.com/Kitchen
Pingback: The Christian and Alcohol, Part 6 | TimothyArcher.com/Kitchen
Pingback: The Christian and Alcohol, Part 7 | TimothyArcher.com/Kitchen
Pingback: The Christian and Alcohol, Part 12 | TimothyArcher.com/Kitchen
Pingback: The Christian and Alcohol | Religious Affections Ministries
Pingback: The Christian and Alcohol, Part 4 |