Proper usage of Alcohol

Proverbs 31:1-9

“The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” (Proverbs 31:1)

The word used here is only translated as prophecy in this verse and in Proverbs 31:1.  It means literally a burden, a guideline or set of rules that his mother taught him.  Lemuel means the one who belongs to God, and refers to Solomon.  Here he is sharing some of the advice his mother tried to teach him.   He starts with some general advice for political leaders.

“What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?  Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.   It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” (Proverbs 31:2-5)  

In I Corinthians 6:12, Paul said, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”  Under the Law many things were forbidden, but as Christians we are not under the law.  Nevertheless, there are things Christians should avoid.  Some things harm us physically or damage our reputations more than any benefit they might provide while others take control of our thinking and destroy our focus.  Bathsheba warned Solomon that both sexual involvement and alcohol posed special serious threats for those in power. 

Sexual involvement often leads to cover ups, manipulation and blackmail.  By getting involved, one gives up his independence.  Alcohol impairs one’s logical thinking processes and judgment, leading to poor decisions.  While they are problems for ordinary people, they can have a disastrous effect for many people when they involve a leader or ruler.  Bathsheba centers her advice on these two areas. 

Many today tout the health benefits of drinking a little alcohol every day as justification for social drinking.  While there  are some medicinal benefits form the use of alcoholic Beverages, few seem to realize how small the quantities recommended are,   The recommendation is that an adult man drink no more than one eight ounce glass of wine or one and a half ounce shot of hard liquor per day.    More than that does more harm than good.  A woman should not consume more than half as much.  Similar health benefits can be obtained by eating a healthy diet without the risk, and research indicates that one four ounce glass of fresh grape juice will provide the same benefit as a four ounce glass of wine.

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.   Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.” (Proverbs 31:6-7)  

Hard liquor was to be used to deaden the pain for those who were seriously injured.  Wine was recommended as an antidepressant.  These are valid medical uses even today, but like any prescription drug, can lead ot problems if over used.   In addition, Paul recommended Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach problems in I Timothy 5:23.   “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.”  Their wine was not pasteurized and thus provided live probiotic bacteria that would help digestive problems that modern commerciwines do not.   Because it was stored in wineskin instead of glass bottles, much of the alcohol evaporated, reducing the alcohol content and making the wine mellow and less harmful to the digestive system.    

“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)  

As ruler, Solomon had a responsibility to protect people from more powerful interests and see that the laws were enforced equitably regardless of financial or political power.  It was and is critical that a leader’s judgment not be impaired by alcohol or drugs or influenced by sexual involvement.  Limiting alcohol usage to proper medical uses will prevent problems in that area.