Is Drinking a SIN?

by HOIM Staff

Yeshua the Messiah set us an example that we should follow in his steps (I Peter 2:21). "Jesus Christ is the fame yesterday, and today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). The Messiah has not changed! He would still be living the same kind of life if he were to be born in the flesh again today as he did live almost 2,000 years ago.

Now notice his example in John 2:1-11. Here is the account of how the Messiah turned water into wine; If you will look up the meaning of the word "firkin" (verse 6), you will see that this amounted to many gallons of wine!

The account is very clear. It simply shows that -- according to Jewish custom -- they were having REAL WINE at the wedding feast, and ran out. The Messiah helped them out, for it was a time of rejoicing, and there were probably several hundred people there.

So he turned the water into wine -- and it was real, fermented wine. They would NEVER have said to the bride­groom, "Thou hast kept the good wine until now" -- if the Messiah had provided only grape juice, which they would have regarded as an inferior beverage for this occasion. Also, the original Greek word used here is oinos, and it always means the fermented juice of the grape -- nothing else. Yeshua was here only carrying out the principle YEHOVAH God gave through Solomon: "A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry" (Ecclesiastes 10:19). If properly used, wine is an aid to relaxation and affability at a special occasion.

But being "merry" is NOT being "tight" or "drunk" -- which the New Testament condemns (I Corinthians 6:10). Prohibitionists object, saying, "But how do you know that the original Hebrew and Greek words mean fermented wine? Historians say the wine used was nothing more than molasses -- that this grape drink was non­intoxicating and the ordinary drink of people in the Messiah's time."

There are thirteen original Hebrew and Greek words translated "wine" in our English Bible. How can we know which ones mean fermented wine? To find the answer, do not go to Aristotle or Pliny, but go to the Bible itself. By comparing its usage, the Scriptural meaning of wine can be defined.

One of the original Hebrew words for wine is yayin. This word is first used in Genesis 9:21 where Noah "drank of the wine and was drunken," This wine caused drunkenness! Was it just grape juice or was it molasses?

In the New Testament, one original Greek word translated "wine" is oinos. Proof that it is alcoholic is given in the story of the good Samaritan. The Samaritan poured oil and wine on the man's wounds (Luke 10:34), showing that the wine had enough alcoholic content to be used as an antiseptic. Would you pour grape juice or molasses on a wound?

The Greek word oinos is also used in John 2 where the Messiah turned water into wine by a miracle. This Greek word is also used in Ephesians 5:18, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess."

Paul instructed Timothy about the medicinal and health value of wine when he wrote: "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities" (I Timothy 5:23).

Again, the Greek word is oinos -- fermented wine, not grape juice!

There are many, many examples in the Old Testament where YEHOVAH's servants used wine in a proper way and with YEHOVAH's blessing. Perhaps the most significant one is given in Genesis 14:18. Here we read of Melchizedek --  he "brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God." This seems to be a type of the observance later called the Kiddush -- which many mistakenly call the "Passover" today.

Melchizedek here gave wine to Abraham -- the father of the faithful. And again, the original Hebrew word used proves that it was fermented wine -- NOT grape juice. The original word is yayin -- and always means fermented wine.

This same Hebrew word is used in Amos 9:14 to show that when YEHOVAH God frees our people from captivity after his arrival at the end of the age and brings them to the land of Palestine, they will "plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof."

So YEHOVAH God -- who also is the same always -- is going to bless His people with good food and wine in His millennial rule with the Messiah!

In ancient times it was impossible to preserve grape juice. Except for a short season the "fruit of the vine" was either made into a thick molasses or into wine. Check Hastings' Bible Dictionary for the full proof.

Some are confused by certain texts which appear to condemn wine, but in reality condemn only the wrong USE of alcohol.

One of these is Proverbs 20:1: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise."

The simple explanation is, that wine certainly does mock and deceive many individuals who have not learned the proper, temperate USE of such beverages. Yes, YEHOVAH's way is moderation and temperance -- NOT prohibition! And there is a great difference between these, which so-called "temperance" people seem unable to recognize.

Another text which is often misunderstood is Proverbs 23:29-32. Here is a warning to those who "tarry long" at wine. Of course! One who "tarries long" at wine is a "winebibber," or in modern terminology a "barfly" or an "alcoholic."

Such excessive use of wine is bound to bring harm on the person involved and on others. Therefore, it is breaking the spirit of YEHOVAH's Law and is SIN. But this is no condemnation WHATEVER against the moderate, sensible use of wine, following the Messiah's example.

The latter part of this passage warns us not to "look" upon the wine when it is "red," when it "moveth itself aright."

In the first place, it is not a sin to LOOK on anything except in lust. Secondly, the terms "red" and "moveth itself" refer to wine when it is in the process of fermentation. This is BEFORE it is fully fermented. And if at this time you "look" on it so as to finally drink it, you will become violently ill and possibly even DIE!

Even today, the term "red" is often applied to wine which is in the midst of the process of fermentation. Again, this has NOTHING to do with the proper use of fully aged wine.

There are many other texts which some people will want to argue about. But the principle should be clear to any honest person from the examples we have covered.

Drunkenness and alcoholism are breaking YEHOVAH's Law and are therefore SIN -- which leads to death! (Romans 6:23.) No drunkard shall inherit YEHOVAH's kingdom (Galatians 5:21).

But on the other hand, wine has been given as a blessing from YEHOVAH God. It can help one relax at a meal or rejoice at a social occasion, and it can be a definite aid in building up one's blood and health -- as Paul advised Timothy. It is a thing which glorifies YEHOVAH God when it is used sensibly and moderately.

Incidentally, true moderation means drinking a great deal LESS than do many who call themselves "moderate drinkers" today. Overindulgence in drink is NOT to be tampered with! Alcoholism is a growing CURSE in our land today!

Hope of Israel Ministries -- Proclaiming the Good News of the Soon-Coming Kingdom of YEHOVAH God Here On This Earth!

Hope of Israel Ministries P.O. Box 853 Azusa, CA 91702, U.S.A. www.hope-of-israel.org

Scan with your Smartphone for more information