The Bible’s conclusion of alcohol consumption. There are numerous examples of characters in Bible history who fell under the influence of the Devil’s fiery liquid. And how do the scriptures portray those individuals? Does anything positive ever come out of those instances of iniquity? Let’s call a few witnesses to the stand and gather some evidence to determine the Bible’s conclusion regarding the consumption of alcohol.
The first instance in scripture at which we read of one under alcohol’s influence is Noah, post-flood. In Genesis 9, shortly after their departure from the ark, it is learned that Noah went into the vineyard business and produced wine, wine that was obviously alcoholic. Verse twenty-one says “he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” The influences of the wine had an obvious effect on him, both physically and mentally. He forfeited his ability to function and act rationally, and the result was despicable. “And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness” (vs. 22-23). What exactly happened is unsure, though some have speculated, but whatever it was, it was terrible and should have been avoided. However it was not, foremost, because Noah made it possible by his drunkenness. Was the alcohol commended or condemned? Obviously it was condemned!
Another instance in scripture where we read of someone else who succumbed to the Devil’s drink is Genesis 19. On that occasion, Lot and his family had just fled Sodom and his wife was lost in the process. Lot, though, was without a son, and so his daughters devised a plan by which they would both eventually bear him sons. The plan was “let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father” (Genesis 19:32). Were the daughters innocent bystanders in this disgusting display? No! They were guilty as guilty could be. However, had Lot not allowed himself to come under the influence of alcohol as he did, he would have maintained his ability to react appropriately and he never would have yielded to the wiles of his daughters. And as bad as the first occasion was, Lot allowed this to happen to him twice! Such utter idiocy could only be attributed to the incapacitation caused by alcohol’s effects. Was alcohol commended or condemned? Again, it was condemned! A final mention regarding this point is the numerous times in scripture where God likens the spiritually ignorant people around the world, both of the heathen nations and even those of His own people, to those drunks who staggered, fell, and wallowed in their own vomit. Is it not significant that of all the illustrations God could provide in His infinite storehouse of wisdom to describe their degradation that He used the picture of those drunk under the influence of alcohol? How could anyone read verses like these and not get the picture?
- Psalm 107:27 – “They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end.”
- Isaiah 19:14 – “The Lord hath mingled a perverse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.”
- Jeremiah 23:9 – “Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.”
- Jeremiah 25:27 – “Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spew, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.”
These verses and so many more portray the drunk man as a staggering sad sack of human waste. Does such a picture speak fondly and encouragingly of alcoholic consumption? It is certainly not here commended, but rather condemned!
The Bible’s conclusion of the drinking of alcohol in any form and in any amount is that it is sickening, sorry, and sinful. It makes no sense whatsoever, and yet millions, if not billions around the world seek opportunities to fall prey to this predator of both the day and night. Why not spend our time, talents, and treasures in pursuits more constructive rather than destructive? To do otherwise, yielding to the pressures of society and Satan, truly makes us dumber than a drunk monkey!
-Andy Brewer