February 5, 2017 (Proverbs 23:29)

“Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?” (Prov 23:29). Here are clear instructions regarding the revelation of God that His people are to abstain from intoxicating drink. These passages (vv.29-35) explicitly warns about the dangers of alcohol and its corrupting influence on a person for a number of standpoints which are readily observable in most cultures today. That alcohol brings woe and strife has been touched upon in the past two weeks. And the fact that those who become intoxicated are prone not only to inadvertent physical injury but bruises result from physical alterations is too obvious to require further discussion. And have not most if not all of us taken note of the “bloodshot eyes” of those indulging to excess in alcoholic drink. Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the writer goes on to say that one is best served by not even looking at intoxicating drinks so as to be tempted: “Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it does down smoothly” (23:31). The Hebrew word translated “gaze” indicates repeated or continued action such that the practice is regular if not habitual. For as the next verse says, “In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper” (23:32), a metaphor indicating the effects of alcohol can become destructive and even demonic in nature.