Does God Approve of Strong Drink?

Does God Approve of Strong Drink?

Dear Mr. John:
Does God sometimes condone alcoholic drinks like in Deuteronomy 14:26 and also Proverbs 31:6,7? If not, what is the meaning of the two passages above?
--Jarvis

Dear Jarvis:
First, there is a difference between a person who occasionally consumes a fermented beverage and a person who is so addicted to alcohol that it consumes his life. God was not giving approval to drunkenness. Such is condemned in too many other places (Gal. 5:21).

The passage in Deuteronomy 14:26 mentions wine and strong drink, beverages that were to be used in their celebration. Hebrews who lived too far to make the annual trip to Jerusalem for the holy festivals were allowed to observe the festival near their home. From their tithe money they were allowed to purchased food and drink for their feast. Beverages allowed were wine and fermented drink. Wine was their normal table beverage with their meals. On such occasions they were allowed to use strong drink in moderation. This was not permission for drunkenness. In the case of Nadab and Abihu God made it clear that he did not approve of drunkenness (Lev. 10:8-10).

In our society, alcoholic beverages are so widely abused and cause so much harm, that most preachers and elders urge their members to totally abstain from them (I Thess. 5:22). A Christian who does use them, even moderately, will find his influence greatly diminished.

The passage in Proverbs 31:6-7 states, "Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul." This prescribes the use of a fermented beverage to ease the pain of the sick, suffering and dying. This would be comparable to the sedatives and narcotics that a medical doctor would provide the sick and suffering today. It offers no encouragement for the social use of hard drink.

Sincerely,

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