"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."
Proverbs 20:1
Part 1
Today: Wine and Strong Drink are No One’s Friends
In our world, today “out of control” living is a problem in modern society. Many people are trying to escape the harsh reality of their lives and often turn to alcohol and/or drugs so they can try to forget the ache in their hearts. The Bible, God’s Word, tells us the best way to live. Knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior changes us from the inside out, and with Jesus’ help, we can be “overcomers” in this life! Alcohol and substance abuse are never to be part of the life of God’s child. What is God’s perspective on alcohol as a beverage?
“Wine is a mocker.”
Wine seems innocent enough, but beware: it is deceptive!
“It deceives by its fragrance, intoxicates by its strength, and renders the intoxicated ridiculous”[1] (Clarke).
“Is a Mocker”
A “mocker — scorner. Such men [scorners] are made by wine”[2] (JFB).
“Wine is a mocker because he who is intoxicated with it readily scoffs at that which is holy;… He is unwise who, through wine and the like, … [is] overpowered by it … [he] staggers, … he gives himself up to wine to such a degree that he is no longer master of himself”[3] (K&D).
“Wine [gluttonously] … drank makes men mockers or scoffers at God and men: … Or, is a mocker to the sinner himself, makes a mock of him, deprives him of his understanding, and causes him to speak and act like a fool, and thereby renders him ridiculous, and exposes him to shame, contempt, and insult”[4] (Benson).
People who are “Mockers are [offensively persistent] … in their folly and unwilling to change. A mocker treats righteousness with ridicule and contempt (17:5). He is proud (21:24), a source of conflict (22:10), and unpopular (24:9). Because he is not open to correction (9:7–8; 13:1; 15:12) ….”[5] No wonder the Bible calls “wine a mocker!” It does all this and more to those who are deceived by it.
“Strong drink is raging.” (a)
“Strong Drink”
“Strong drink … any strong fermented liquor, whether of the vine, date, or palm species”[6] (Clarke).
“Strong drink. The Hebrew word Shekhar includes every strong drink besides wine.”[7]
“mead [strong drink] … mead is boisterous … because he who is [drunk] … in his [self-indulgent folly] … breaks through the limits of morality and [decency] … ”[8] (K&D).
How does a strong drink affect those who use it? Come back tomorrow, and we will learn more of God’s thoughts about alcohol.
Quote: To those who are dying; “Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more” (Proverbs 31:6-7, ESV).[9]
“The preparation of a [medicine] … for [criminals] … who were condemned to death was, on the ground of these words of the proverb, cared for by [helpful] … women in Jerusalem … Jesus rejected it because He wished, without becoming [numb] … to His sorrow, to pass away from the earthly life freely and in full consciousness, Mark 15:23”[10] (K&D).
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 20:1.
[2] JFB. Jamison, Fausset, and Brown. Jamison-Fausset-Brown’s Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 20:1.
[3] K&D. Keil & Delitzsch, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 20:1.
[4] Joseph Benson, Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 20:1.
[5] Stabnow, D. K. (2017). Proverbs. In E. A. Blum & T. Wax (Eds.), CSB Study Bible: Notes (p. 955). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Adam Clarke, ibid. According to Barnes, he figures this ancient word shechar is “probably, the ‘palm-wine’ of Syria.” Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[7] The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary, the electronic version in eSword. Proverbs 20:1.
[8] K&D ibid.
[9] ESV, the English Standard Version of the Bible.
[10] K&D ibid.