Does the blessing of wine outweigh its dangers?

Question:

Generally, the Bible condemns drunkenness (in a variety of places) but nowhere condemns wine or alcoholic beverages in total. In fact, the mild exhilaration that comes from moderate imbibing of wine is seen as a blessing of God in several Old Testament passages. Health advisor says alcohol impairs the nervous system and strains the liver every time it is consumed. Do you feel the blessing outweighs the
danger?

Answer:

The reason the Bible doesn't totally condemn alcoholic beverages is that they do have some use, such as a topical antiseptic and in some medicines. You didn't mention which verses you were looking at, but I suspect you are referring to the ones where the productivity of the farm is considered a blessing from God. You have to be careful to examine the Hebrew words being used as well as the context in which they are being used. Our English translations tend to broadly translate words as "wine" even when the word or the context indicates that an alcoholic beverage is not under consideration.

For example, "Thus says the LORD: "As the new wine is found in the cluster, And one says, 'Do not destroy it, For a blessing is in it,' So will I do for My servants' sake, That I may not destroy them all." (Isaiah 65:8). Since the new wine is found in the cluster, we know God is talking about the juice of the grapes and not a fermented product. The Hebrew word tirosh refers to fresh, unfermented juice and is translated as "new wine" in this verse.

There are two extensive articles on this topic:

Old Testament Beverages
New Testament Beverages

Please review them for details.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email