Among the Church community there is a diverse
opinion when it comes to the subject of alcohol consumption. While some
denominations and independents have taken a hard stand of total abstinence from
alcohol, yet others at least appear to support or condone consumption in
limited measures.
As I indulge myself in this study a number of issues and
similarities appear:
Old
Testament Priesthood
1. Ezekiel
44:21 neither shall any priest drink
wine, when they enter into the inner court. [Notice: when they enter the inner court]. Evidently it was not forbidden in
the outer court.
Leviticus 10:9 Do not drink wine nor strong, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when thou
goest into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a
statute forever throughout your generations: [Drunkenness of the
priests is forbidden].
·
The Lord God knows the dangers of imbibing,
that even “casual or social” drinking often leads to inebriation [which
escalates into more perverse behavior such as violent displays of anger,
profanity, lewdness etc] thus profaning the ministry and the Lord’s name as
well of the priest. A late Pastor used to say “A drunken man speaks a sober
mind”. Meaning that alcohol loosens the tongue thereby releasing thoughts and
revealing secrets that would otherwise be kept secret.
2. The OT priests wore the distinctive
dress, only while performing in the temple strictly sacrificial services. They
were required to change their garments to perform the service of the ministry.
3. The OT priests dealt
with sin offerings and sacrifices, while today we still offer up sacrifices of
praise and thanksgiving. Yet we are still called priests of the Most High God.
We are called kings to reign over earth; not a future tense only, but a present
tense as well.
4. Exodus 29:37 …make an
atonement at the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy:
whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
Exodus
30:29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that
they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
5. The ancient
priesthood, even in Jesus’ day, was rife with priests profaning the temple and sacrificial system; the
very system that was to be holy [separate] from all of life’s various tasks. To
be a priest meant that one, by necessity, purified oneself from the mundane. It
was indeed a separate office and
function declared to be holy by the most High and Holy One himself. Thus we
also are to purify ourselves not only from excessive drinking but also from
sexual perversions and all sinful behavior. All profaned the holy office of priesthood to which we
are called. Ought we not also to deem our priesthood as holy, even as God hath declared and made it?
New Testament Priesthood
1.
Just as the OT priest was to present
himself when performing his duties and functions so also the NT priest, you and
I, are to be holy in all manner of lifestyle; for the NT priest never ceases to
carry out his or her priestly duties whether inside the four walls or not.
Perhaps this gives cause for the church of today not having a dynamic influence
on secular society. Have we so watered down the gospel message so as to render
it profane and mundane?
2.
Noah’s problem was not that of
drinking wine but that of drinking to the point of inebriation thus unable to
discern his son, Ham’s, actions Gen. 9:20-22, 24
3.
The NT priests, you and I, are to
wear the priestly garments of righteousness and right living as provided by
faith in the shed blood of Jesus on Calvary 2000 years ago. In short we are to
wear our priestly garments everyday of our lives and not shed or change them at
will. Our ministry never ends!
Today, the children of God are called to
be kings and priests 1Pet. 2:9;
Rev.1:5-6; 5:10; 20:6.
4. 1
Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no
striker, nor greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
[Strongly infers abstinence as it profanes the priesthood]. Paul’s letter to
Timothy outlines the duties and functions of the NT priesthood to which we are
all called.
1Timothy 5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and
for thine often infirmities. Here Paul instructs Timothy, the young pastor,
in the taking of wine in moderation for the cause or sake of his health; not to
be misused or abused.
6. Alcohol
consumption quietly but ever so quickly becomes addictive [unwarily controlling
the person] and producing destructive behavior which is the work of Satan. He
came to steal, kill and destroy
Jn.10:10.
7. In
short, it becomes a stronghold in the life of a believer, albeit ever so slowly
and subtle. Creeping into one’s life and eroding the character, robbing the
victim of self respect, honor, family, employment, and into virtually every
aspect of one’s life, and of course destroying one’s witness thus bringing
reproach upon the Lord who saved them.
8. As
kings we are to reign over the works of the devil by not falling prey to his
devices.
9. Scripture
is replete in its condemnation of drunkenness and inebriation as it not only
impairs the mind and body but also leads to more destructive behaviors and vices;
loss of family, friends, employment, possessions etc. All this profanes the Holy
name of the Lord God and thus the conversation of the believer.
10. The
office of our priesthood, although changed, is continual, that is we are always
on duty in the service of our Lord.
11. The
Holy Writ condemns the drinking of wine and alcoholic beverages in the excess,
to the point of intoxication and drunkenness; however the question becomes…who
is to determine how much is enough? And further, one person’s body might
tolerate more than another’s.
12. State
and Federal laws have determined a “legal” limit of alcohol content in one’s
system; which perhaps answers the last question.
13. Because
of Paul’s instructions to Timothy, his young protégé pastor, it is safe to
assume that the consumption might be acceptable from time to time in small
amounts; certainly not to the point of inebriation. 1Tim.5:23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine
for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities. Thus referring to
Israel’s drinking water from the sea being polluted with salt and other sources
with sewage. Every civilization, including Israel, has needed to acquire
purification techniques for its water supply.
14. Perhaps
the contemporary church has been stunted in its growth and influence in today’s
society in failing to acknowledge and teach the NT priesthood.
15. Perhaps
the last, but often overlooked and least taught, is the overwhelming Scriptural
evidence of death as the direct
result of profaning His table with ungodly practices.
16. Both the OT and NT warn of such madness of
behavior. Does that mean the loss of salvation? Indeed, the context of
salvation’s doctrine is that it is everlasting; that the loss of one’s
salvation, by any sin, is protected by the finished work on Calvary’s cross. Furthermore Scripture is replete with
clarification that it is the Almighty’s work to keep and finish His work within
each of us Phil.2:13; Heb.12:5-15; 13; 5. Most certainly it means an early
physical demise as admonished in 1Cor.11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and
drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause
many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [die].
17. On
the other hand, Scriptures in both OT and NT are replete with admonitions to
abstain from all evil behavior [including excessive consumption of alcoholic
beverages; further instructions call for confession, repentance, and
forgiveness that our garments of righteousness might be kept clean and
spotless even as a bride takes great measures to present herself likewise pure,
spotless, clean to her groom in waiting on their wedding day. This also is a
picture of the child of God awaiting his/her wedding day with Christ the
awaiting Groom.
18. In
many cases the victim may be able to conceal their problem for an extended
period of time [at least they “think” they are concealing it].
19. Quite
often the “victim” is unaware of their problem or be in denial, however
There is always someone who has at least
a limited knowledge of it.
A
Few Negative Results Caused by Over Consumption of Alcohol
1. Slower
or impaired mental and physical faculties
2. Impaired
judgment
3. Impaired
reasoning; rational thinking skills
4. Loosening
of the tongue; inner most thoughts and secrets revealed
5. Physical
health declines; internal organs (liver
etc.) shut down
6. Impaired
and broken relationships
7. Broken
social skills
8. Divorce
9. Self
destruction
10. Paranoia
11. Anger
12. Violence
13. Loss
of employment
In short inebriation is most definitely a work of Satan
whose ultimate work is to kill, steal and destroy. The use of “controlled” substances
though they be “afforded by man’s law”, are not without similar or like chronic
maladies. Remember, although afforded my man’s law the devastating effects and
negated nor to be considered as condoned by God.
Faith
Building Practice and Review
1. What
do OT statutes have to say on the subject of drunkenness?
2. Why?
3. What
similarities are there between the OT and NT on the subject of wine and
alcohol?
4. What
are 5 negative results of being an alcoholic?
5. If
you can think of any others, please email them to myself.
6. What
NT procedures for “keeping our garments pure and clean”?
7. Give
three reasons why the consumption of alcohol is so dangerous.
Knowing
God
A brief [not complete, add
to the list] synopsis of the persona of God:
·
Love
·
Gracious
·
Merciful
·
Righteous
·
Longsuffering
·
Gentle
·
Faithful
·
Compassionate
·
Forgiving
·
Friend
The ultimate goal of Bible study is to
know God and not to merely memorize Bible trivia. As you study, identify the
attributes of God. For instance: make a note when you read of God extending His
forgiveness or compassion, and remember how He has done the same for you.
