GOOD HEALTH | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 10, 1877

GOOD HEALTH.

Use of Wine by Bible Characters.

It being often argued that wine of an intoxicating nature was used by some of the most eminent characters of the Bible, we have only to glance at the effects to see the absurdity of making such a course an example to be followed. It will be found that the effects were notably evil whenever any effects whatever are recorded.

Noah’s Drunkenness.—“And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard; and he drank of the wine and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.” Gen. 9 : 20, 21. This is the very first mention of wine in the Bible. Its effect upon Noah show that it was intoxicating. It so muddled the brain of this great and good man that he lost all sense of propriety, and fell into a state of insensibility in his tent, in a condition of indecent exposure. This unfortunate occurrence also became the occasion of national misfortune to one line of Noah’s descendants, through the disrespect of one of his sons. No doubt the first effect of the wine was exhilarating. Doubtless it dispelled from Noah’s mind all anxiety about the future prosperity of his extensive plantation, which was to be repeopled, resubdued, and tilled by himself and his descendants. But that it also blunted those other finer sensibilities of his nature, which should always be acute and active, is quite apparent. Surely, then, there can be nothing here to recommend the use of wine.

Lot’s Shame.—The next undisputed mention of wine is in Gen. 19 : 34-36. In this instance, the wine employed was doubtless of the kind called “mixed wine,” which possessed most powerful intoxicating properties. The effects in this case were anything but such as would recommend the use of wine; for they led the righteous Lot—who had dwelt in Sodom so many years, surrounded with wickedness, yet preserving his integrity—to commit a crime even worse than that for perpetrating which the lecherous Sodomites were smitten with blindness.

Nadab and Abihu.—These two sons of Aaron, while under the influence of drink, were so presumptuous as to directly disobey the express command of the Almighty by offering strange fire upon the sacred altar. In consequence of this daring act of disobedience, they were suddenly smitten with death by the hand of the Lord, who evidently designed by this summary act of justice to render them an example to succeeding generations. This is a most striking illustration of the influence of alcohol to render the mind incapable of distinguishing between sacred and common things. It has an unmistakable influence to blunt the moral sensibilities of men.

It certainly will not be argued that in any of these instances the use of fermented or intoxicating wine was beneficial.

BIBLE TEETOTALERS.

While there is no evidence in the Bible that the use of intoxicating wine ever did, or ever could do, any one the slightest possible good, we have the illustrious example of some of the most eminent Bible characters as teetotalers.

The Israelites.—During the sojourn of the children of Israel in Egypt, they were, undoubtedly, total abstainers, since their masters, the Egyptians, at that time made no use of any fermented liquor. During their journey in the wilderness, the Israelites were of necessity abstainers, their only drink being the purest water from the rock. To this long discipline of temperance might be largely attributed that hardihood, fortitude, and bravery, which enabled them to sweep out with astonishing rapidity the enervated nations of Palestine, who had wasted their energies by intemperate and riotous living, and were thus easily vanquished, though protected by strong walls and fortresses.

The Nazarites.—At the time of the establishment of the ceremonial law, there was also instituted an order of teetotalers. They dedicated themselves wholly to the service of God; and one of the conditions of the dedication was total abstinence from the use of wine. To insure a perfect observance of the pledge, all wine was prohibited, whether fermented or unfermented. Many of the finest personages of the Bible were members of this class. It is quite probable that Daniel and his three Hebrew brethren were Nazarites, since they refused to drink the king’s wine, preferring pulse and water.

Samson.—This Hebrew Hercules was a teetotaler from his birth. None of his muscles were weakened by alcoholic degeneration. None of his nerves were paralyzed by stimulants. He was a Nazarite, and is a fair illustration of the incompatibility of alcohol with strength. Milo, the famous Greek who rivaled Samson in his prodigious strength, was likewise a total abstainer, as well as a vegetarian.

The Rechabites.—These were a sort of family temperance society. They abstained from the use of wine because commanded to do so by their father; and the Lord commended them for their constancy. If the sons of the present age were as careful to follow the commands of their fathers as were those of ancient times, there would certainly be fewer drunkards. But drink deprives a youth of natural affection. It leads him to trample upon the authority of his father, and treat with contempt the prayers and tears of a loving mother. What a terrible monster is drink!

The Essenes.—The class of Jews known by this name were very temperate in all their habits. They were strict teetotalers, carefully avoiding the slightest indulgence in fermented drinks. They were noted for their rigorous piety. It is thought by many that John the Baptist was a member of this class. He was a Nazarite, at least.

Timothy must have been a total abstainer, since it was necessary for Paul to advise him to take a little wine (sweet wine) for his “stomach’s sake.” There would have been no propriety in such advice had he been in the habit of using wine. History, as well as the Bible, furnishes numerous examples of temperance. Pythagoras, one of the most renowned philosophers of ancient times, was an advocate of total abstinence. Neither himself nor his followers made use of the wine. Wine was prohibited to those who were training for competition at the national games. It appears evident, indeed, that there have always been societies analogous to temperance societies, or organizations opposed to the use of intoxicating drinks. There are, even at the present day, barbarous tribes, the individuals of which are strict abstainers, the use of wine being prohibited by their religion.

The relation of the Bible to temperance may be summed up in the following brief conclusions to which the evidence presented must lead us:—

The use of intoxicating drinks is not commanded in the Bible.
The use of fermented wine is not recommended.
Its use is not countenanced either as a harmless practice or a necessary evil.
Total abstinence is nowhere condemned.
Many texts commend abstinence, and some command it.
There is nothing in the Scriptures which disagrees with the principles of total abstinence, and nothing which sustains moderate drinking.
Hence, the Bible agrees with science and common sense in denouncing the use of intoxicating liquors, and commending temperance.

In the face of these facts, can any person who has a particle of faith in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and in man’s accountability to his Creator, continue to indulge in the use of wine in any degree whatever?

We cannot see how it would be possible for an individual to do so and still preserve “a conscience void of offense.”—Health Tract.