September 28 – Proverbs 23:29-35

Main Focus: Alcohol

This exposition on the folly of drunkenness opens with a poignant question and answer;

Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
Who has conflicts? Who has complaints?
Who has wounds for no reason?
Who has red eyes?

Those who linger over wine;
those who go looking for mixed wine.

This Proverb commands those who would listen to heed a warning and, in order to communicate the tragic consequences of overindulgence in wine, presents a painfully comedic image of the drunkard deluded about his self-harm (vv.33-35). The final two lines are as clear a picture as any in Proverbs of “a fool who repeats his folly”. Proverbs 26:11 says, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.”

A drunken person will see strange things according to verse 33. A drunken person does not “see” clearly, i.e., he cannot perceive the cause-and-effect connections of events. like one who lies on the top of a mast. This is a notoriously unstable place to stay: the comparison is either to the staggering gait of the drunk person, or to the nausea he will feel (as uncontrollable as seasickness).

Theology of Alcohol and Drunkenness (HT: Door of Hope Church Portland, OR)
Throughout the scope of the Bible, there is a consistently nuanced approach to alcohol use. Wine is described as a gift from God (Gen. 27:28) given for enjoyment (Ps. 104:14-15), an aid in celebration (Jn. 2:1-11), and sometimes for medicinal purposes (Prov. 31:6; 1 Tim. 5:23). Even still, the Bible warns against the sinfulness of the abuse of alcohol. The biblical authors frequently speak against drunkenness (Gen. 9:20-22; Prov. 20:1; Hos. 4:11; 1 Cor. 5:11-13; 1 Peter 4:3) and addiction (Isa. 5:11; 1 Tim. 3:8).

The negative command to avoid drunkenness/intoxication is often joined with a positive command to pursue self-control, spiritual integrity, and a sense of purposeful watchfulness in light of the coming return of Jesus. Note the contrast in Ephesians 5:18-21. There, the loss of control associated with drunkenness is contrasted with the spiritual discipline that come with the filling of the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 is a key passage about sober, intentional watchfulness in waiting for Jesus’s return (“So let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”). Matthew chapter 24 shares this concern, highlighted in verses 48 through 50. Drunkenness/intoxication is sin because God has declared it to be, but the primary logic behind this declaration seems to be because it hinders the believer from being able to love God and love people in all the ways the great commandment entails. The same logic should apply to marijuana and any other substance that has a substantial effect on the believer’s mind and body.