(1Ti 4:4-5)
Psalm 104 credits God – at least indirectly, with the creation of alcohol – which means according to Paul (1Ti 4), it (like other “foods” created by God – v3) “is good” (Gen 1:31) and not to be “rejected (condemned or forbidden) – but rather “received with gratitude.” However (as Paul also makes clear), its place as good is dependent on it being “sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” IOW: even created things first declared good by God must be practiced according to His prescription (“the Word of God”) and dedicated to His glory (“prayer” – 1Co 10:31) if they are to remain good – and not become stumbling blocks and sin. Assuming the latter to be given (we have prayerfully committed to God that the pleasure we receive in consuming alcohol will bring Him glory), only the former remains in question: what is God’s prescription for consuming alcohol? This study will provide the answer to that question as well what happens when we don’t follow His prescription.
1. Like God’s other powerful gifts (e.g., sex), His prescription for consuming alcohol enjoys a very limited context: excluding medicinal use[1], its sole purpose is to function only as an initial aid to the kind of gladness of heart conducive to God-honoring comfort and conversation with God’s covenant family during God’s sanctioned/sacred celebrations.
1.1. (Psa 104:15) “makes man’s heart glad” = Initiates gladness of heart; “food which sustains man’s heart [with gladness].” = Sustains gladness of heart. IOW: it was never God’s intention that mankind would fill up on alcohol as the means to sustaining the gladness initiated by alcohol. That gladness is instead to be sustained through filling up on food (or feasting)
1.2. Hence the reason those who fill up on alcohol (i.e., attempt to sustain their gladness by continuing to consume alcohol) are cursed with drunkenness (Gen 9:21 “drunk”) = To fill up or saturate (versus initiate) w/alcohol. NOTICE: the word does not point to the result (becoming tipsy, impaired, etc.,) but rather the cause – i.e., attempting to sustain (through filling up or saturation w/alcohol) the gladness of heart initiated by alcohol.
1.3. In summary: We are to initiate gladness thru alcohol but sustain that gladness thru food/feasting. And all of this is only to take place with covenant family during God’s sanctioned/sacred celebrations:
1) Sabbath feasts (Deu 14:26) = The consumption of alcohol takes place along w/eating meat or feasting (in the ANE, meat on the menu - more than not, indicated the existence of a special feast or celebration).
2) Wedding-related celebrations - including betrothal celebrations [e.g., baptisms] (Gen 14:17-20) = This sacred meal (of bread and wine/alcohol) along w/giving a tenth represents the beginning of the marriage covenant/betrothal process between Abe and God (followed by the binding vow ceremony in 15:1-21)[2]; (Joh 2:1-10).
3) Celebrations of covenant renewal/ratification or reconciliation (Mat 26:27-29) = The LT (ratification/renewal of the covenant initiated at baptism (Joh 13:10); (Luk 15:23) = Considering what we also know about ANE practice, two things in this verse imply the consumption of alcohol: the consumption of meat and the mention of celebration.
4) Birthday celebrations w/covenant family (Job 1:4 [“his day” same word as 3:1] w/13 “wine”).
5) Celebrations established by God’s leaders in the covenant community (Joh 10:22-23) = Jesus celebrated Hanukah/Festival of Dedication, a sacred holiday established – not by God, but the leaders of the covenant community [the Maccabees] involving the consumption of alcohol (e.g., camping trip; members dinner; ordination celebrations).
1.4. What (then) is not considered by God as sanctioned/sacred celebrations (though we are with covenant family): Any fellowship or celebration not mentioned above (e.g., vacation w/covenant family; Gen 18:1-8 = Abe serves milk not wine).
1.5. PNTM: Per God’s prescription, consuming alcohol requires possessing the right context: drinking to initiate gladness/conversation w/covenant family that takes place in those religious or covenant family environments established by God or His leaders. Following this prescription not only causes us to fulfill our prayer of dedication to God (we are drinking in a way that glorifies God) but avoid the consequences associated w/alcohol abuse and sin.[3]
2. God’s curse in various forms of harm – even death and hell, are appointed to those who sin by not treating alcohol according to His prescription.
2.1. (Jam 4:17; Rom 14:23 = Failing to do something according to faith [and therefore sinning against God] would include not only those things you know to be sinful but also anything you know could be sinful - yet still choose to do, though you do not possess the biblical support to prove it is righteous). This would include:
1) Getting drunk (1Co 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; 1Co 11:20-21 w/29-34) = Hell wb the home of drunkards.[4] Additional dangers associated w/getting drunk: a) You open yourself up to demonic influence (or possession) (Eph 5:15-16) “days are evil” = Every day is filled with evil spirits attempting to make contact with us (See Eph 6:11-13 “the evil day” = Day when we are being attacked by evil spirits) (w/17-18) “do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation” [Grk., asotia = Literally, unsavedness – or an unsaved version of being filled up or occupied] = IOW: you are not filling up with the Spirit – but w/what invites those opposed to salvation (evil spirits/demons). Ancient cultures used drunkenness to occupy – or be occupied/filled by the spirit realm. In the first century, Ephesus was the epicenter for such demonic practice (hence why Act 19:18-19; See Power and Magic: The Concept of Power in Ephesians). b) You increase the chances of sexual perversion (e.g., Gen 9:20-25; Gen 19:30-36; 50% of all sexual assault cases involve alcohol and/or drunkenness).
2) Drinking large amounts (i.e., beyond what should be needed as an initial aid to gladness of heart)(Isa 5:22) “Woe to those [you are in danger of damnation] who are heroes at drinking wine and valiant men in mixing strong drink” [those able to tolerate large quantities of alcohol before becoming intoxicated/before reaching the initiating effects of gladness] (w/24-25) = God will punish these heroes of alcohol as rebels who have rejected His law; (1Ti 3:3) “addicted to wine” [Grk., paroinos] = One who consumes more wine than needed. [5] Additional danger associated w/drinking large amounts of alcohol = Permanent brain damage or shrinkage of those parts of the brain associated with memory, reasoning, cognition and learning (Pro 31:4-7).[6]
3) Drinking with or like the pagans (drunkards) (1Pe 4:3 “Gentiles” = Pagans) = You drink w/or like the pagans you will condemned w/or like the pagans; (Mat 24:49) “drinking with the drunkards” = Drinking alcohol with pagans[7]; Hence why (2Co 6:14-7:1) “Come out of their midst and be separate from them [the “unbeliever” or pagan]…let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh” = This includes also separating/cleansing ourselves from their drinking practices/traditions (e.g., Isa 5:11-13) = Constant drinking throughout the day (which begins in the morning and continues into the evening) was a popular holiday [vacation] tradition among pagan cultures in the ANE that God condemned His people for adopting due to their willful ignorance of His Law which forbid such practice. Hence (Act 2:15).
4) Drinking on unsanctioned days (Lev 10:1-3 w/9) = The reason that God killed Nadab and Abihu is because they were drinking alcohol on the day of their service before God. IOW: they were drinking on an unsanctioned day....
