Alcoholic beverages in America and in the Bible: Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we briefly took a sneak preview of the history of national legal acceptance of alcoholic beverages in America. This history parallels the struggle in Union county which many believe to be a struggle between small town values and the immigration of new thinking. In Part 2 of this series, we will begin our Biblical quest for the acceptance of alcoholic beverages. It is with the understanding that most of the citizens of this county consider themselves to be Bible believing Christians that this perspective is shared.

As one begins his quest for this juicy fruit in the Scriptures, he may waste hours, days, months or even years looking for the phrase "grape juice." You can search until you are "wine" in the face. This phrase does not exist. The word "grape" occurs only eight times in eight verses, all of which are in the Old Testament. Its plural form, "grapes" is mentioned 37 times in 33 verses with only three of these references in the New Testament.

The point being made is that when the Bible refers to alcohol (fermented grape juice), it uses the word "wine." On the other hand, when the Bible refers to unfermented grape juice (non alcoholic), it also uses the word "wine." Both come from the juice of the grape and the translators chose to translate both forms of this liquid with the same word. The fact is that these are in two irreconcilable states of being which are diametrically opposed to each other. One produces life while the other "sips" the last "draft" of vital force from the body.

The B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth) makes a clear distinction between good wine and bad wine. The good wine is mentioned in Isa. 65:8

"Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all." Isa. 65:8

The word "wine" in the above Scripture comes from the Hebrew word. "tiyrowsh," pronounced "tee-roshe" and carries the meaning, "fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by impl. (rarely) fermented wine:" (new, sweet) wine. From Strongs Concordance H8492

Notice that the Bible says that unfermented grape juice (wine) is good. It even identifies it as that which has just been squeezed from the cluster meaning a cluster of grapes. This good wine has not fermented. It is not alcohol. This same Hebrew word is used in many Old Testament Scriptures to denote grape juice. For example, when God blessed the children of Israel and told them that He would bless the fruit of their "wine," this was grape juice that God promised to bless them with. (See Duet. 7:13) Notice also the following promise, "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase :So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." Prov. 3:9,10. This verse makes it even clearer because it shows that the unfermented "wine" was "pressed" out of the grapes. This pressing was done with an instrument called a "winepress" and is mentioned in Hosea 9:2. You do not "press" alcohol. It sits until fermentation takes place. The Bible sometimes refers to this good grape juice as "new wine" which makes a lot of sense. "Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and he oil unto the treasuries." (Neh 13:12 KJV) It has not had the opportunity to age by way of fermentation.

On the other hand, the Old Testament uses a different word when referring to alcoholic beverages. The Hebrew word is "yayin" and is interpreted "effervesce"; wine (as fermented); by impl. intoxication: "banqueting, wine, wine [-bibber]." This bad wine is used in verses such as Proverbs 20:1 which says, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging:

and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." This fermented wine is also used in Proverbs 23:29-32 which states, "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine... Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." Friends, I hope this message is coming clear. The Old Testament scriptures are plain. There is a good wine (grape juice) and a bad wine (fermented grape juice).

To make the matter even clearer the Bible sometimes used both words. For example, if you read the story of how Jacob deceived Isaac, his elderly, blind father, you will read that Jacob gave his father wine to drink which probably distorted His judgement. Under the influence of this "bad wine" Isaac could not distinguish Jacob from his twin brother Esau and gave the blessing to Jacob that was intended for Esau. Interestingly, this blessing included plenty of wine. This was "good wine." Both Hebrew words were used in this scenario. (See Gen. 27:2528) Hosea 4:11 tells us that both "wine [bad wine] and new wine [good wine] take away the heart." Is the distinction clear?

Shelem Flemons is the Director and Chaplain of Times of Refreshing Chapel and Biblical Health Ministry. Times of Refreshing will be conducting a free seminar on Natural Remedies entitled "Natural Remedies From Head To Toe PART 2" Learn how to treat everything from headaches to athletes feet with natural remedies God made. Seminar is 7:00 p.m. and is held at the United Community Bank Brackett Bldg. Healthy refreshments are served and children are welcomed. Call 706-835-2789 for the scheduled date of the next seminar.