October 1, 2017 (Proverbs 31:4,5)

“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights” (Prov 31:4,5).  It seems not only appropriate but necessary to further discuss last week’s proverb as it is widely ignored and frequently compromised in today’s Church. This week’s translation from the NIV differs very minimally from the KJV used last week. It seems that King Lemuel was a non-Israelite as his name is not found elsewhere in the scriptures. This suggests God holds a high standard for all rulers to avoid intoxicating beverages, not only for those in the service of ministry to God (Leviticus 10:8,9). The reason stated here is that alcohol weakens a person morally and can lend to perversion of justice. This text led older Jewish rabbis to decree a judge who drank a renuth (one glass of wine) was “not permitted to sit in judgment, nor….to teach” (Koplowitz, Midrush, yayin, p.30). Today NT believers are regarded as kings and priests who rule in God’s spiritual kingdom (1 Peter 2:9), and as such God’s standard in the OT therefore applies to Christians today. Furthermore, it might be noted that the Law and commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai is that Person of the Godhead who manifested on earth as Jesus of Nazareth. He is referred to in John’s gospel as the Word who was with God in the beginning, and who was made flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1,2,14). And Jesus taught explicitly in the Sermon on the Mount that not the least part of the Law would pass away until the end of time (Matthew 5:17,18). I am of the firm conviction that the mind of Christ is revealed for us most clearly and beautifully in the Beatitudes. Two of these teachings apply so directly to this matter of one indulging in alcoholic beverages: “Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled,” referring I believe to being filled with the Holy Spirit, and “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:6,8). Satan, the great deceiver, is a master of deception and would have believers in Jesus Christ think that Jesus does not mean exactly what He says. The devil is the father of lies, and the lie he has those claiming Jesus as Savior and Lord who drink alcoholic drinks believing is the same lie told Eve in the garden of Eden, namely that God surely does not mean what He says. It is no wonder there is abundant preaching of a ‘gospel’ today which is never confirmed by supernatural signs such as divine healings and miracles. Those who preach lack the anointing of God which comes with filling by the Holy Spirit.