Not a lot has been said over the past several chapters on the dangers of alcohol.  We will, however, cover more on this as we continue through the rest of the Book of Proverbs. 

Fermented drinks were drunk by everyone during the time of King Solomon, as well as throughout Bible times.  Grapes were in abundance throughout Israel, and the fruit of the vine, meaning fresh grape juice, was drunk by everyone throughout the land.  It was never referred to, however, as grape juice.  It was simply known as wine, no matter what stage of freshness, fermented, or rancidity it was in.  Once juiced, the juice was preserved for about two weeks before it began to ferment.  In other words, it began to spoil. 

• Upon refrigeration, of which no one had in Bible times, the grape juice will then last another five days or so. 

It was at this two-week time frame when the good wine began to ferment, becoming toxic, and to drink it caused a person to get intoxicated on the fermentation.  The more toxic it became, the quicker it caused the drinker to get intoxicated.  Eventually, the fermentation was so strong to where it became rancid and undrinkable, tasting like vinegar. 

• When people in Bible times wanted to get intoxicated (or drunk), they would drink the wine that had begun to ferment, but hadn't reached the rancid state.  The more fermented, the better, but only to a point of rancidity.
• Today, we have pasturizing processes to where we can keep wine at a certain fermented level - even years - to where people simply enjoy the taste of just the right level of fermentation.  Obviously, the more one drinks, the more intoxicated one would become. 

There have always been people who have taken wine to an excess with the purpose of getting intoxicated.  It dulls the senses, leads one to forget, and gives a sense of euphoria.  In other words, the person gets drunk. 

• For those whose lives who have inner issues, as most people without the Lord do, intoxication fills the void, at least temporarily.  Danger comes to himself and others around when that person gets drunk because the person is not fully aware of his surroundings and all filters are gone.  What is in the heart now is shown to everyone around.  This is when we can say wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler.  The next morning, the body will fight back with headaches and other ailments until the fermentation leaves the body.  Then the regrets come, not remembering how they behaved the night before.

Since during Bible times there was no refrigeration, the only drink available that did not need refrigeration was water.  And water - not always pure water - was not always available in abundance like we have today.  So people throughout Israel relied on the fruit of the vine of the grapes (wine) and whatever water they could attain for liquid for their sustainance in life.

• The same thing can be done with apples to juice to cider, wheat to ale, grains to beer, and many other kinds of food to make a drink.  It is when the fermentation process begins does it then turn toxic.  That is the point where many people want to drink it.  In reality, many people like that fermented taste.  When it turns rancid, then it gets too strong and tastes like vinegar, being unable to drink.

Since wine was the drink of everyone in the Bible day or night throughout Israel, and only the excess of it is spoken against, the Bible does not tell us to drink or not to drink - it only tells us not to drink in excess, giving out its reasons.  

I personally have made the decision to not drink anything intoxicating.  I have two important reasons why:

First of all, I have had people close to me who have gone down that path of excess, drinking intoxicating drinks over a period of time to where it detrimentally affected their lives and the people around them.  Alcoholism is horrible and the damage it can cause is irreversable.  Lives are changed and often ruined because of that desire to get drunk. 

There is no way that this kind of person can become wise in the eyes of God who drink alcohol in excess.  They are the fool, in which we have talked much about in Proverbs, and the alcoholic person will drag others down with them.  Excess alcohol is a tool of Satan, and he will drag anyone down who is vulnerable enough, which then only leads to the pit of hell simply because of a desire to get high on something that will only ruin a person.  I know for sure that only through Christ can a person get out of that horrible lifestyle of alcoholism and change to become the person God intended them to be.

Secondly, I am a pastor.  Being a pastor, I am a leader - one who leads by example.  The last thing I would ever want is to have someone who is vulnerable to alcohol see me with an intoxicating drink in my hand.  It would be so easy for that person to say:  "Pastor Joyce drinks - she thinks its okay, so then it must be okay for me to drink."  One drink for that person could set them off down that horrible path of destruction, and I would be horrified if I would ever, even without knowing, do something like that.  I am to set an example of living a life that is pleasing to God and one that is edifying to others. 

I personally can take alcohol or leave it alone.  To have A drink would not turn me one way or the other.  Alcohol has never been an issue with me.  But to many it is!  I simply look at alcohol as drink that is fermented - rotted - and that does not turn me on.  I don't know where my tolerance level would be at, although I suspect it is very low to where it would start to affect my mind.  I simply choose not to find out. 

• I also choose not to be atmospheres where alcohol becomes a focus, such as bars or parties that center around alcohol.  Does that mean I never go anywhere where alcohol is served?  No...because alcohol is served all around us - restaurants, wedding receptions, house gatherings, etc., etc., etc.
• But I also know when the atmosphere changes and when the alcohol takes over.  I sense it all around me, and I have to leave, and leave right away!  I won't have peace within until I'm out of there.

So then, what do I say to you?  I can't tell you to drink or not to drink, because the Bible does not specifically tell you either way.  It does tell you, however, of the dangers of what too much drink would do to you. 

• Bringing this then to a close, we know that throughout the Bible the people drank - but we also know the people only had water and wine with no refrigeration, and many got intoxicated.  Thus, drunkedness was a real problem in Bible times back then, and still is today. 

So then, is the issue the wine or the excess of it?  Then at what point do you draw the line should you choose to drink?  I guess, more to the point - I would ask the question of why do you drink alcohol in the first place, because you know  that it is already fermented.  Is it to enjoy the taste, or is it get high?  If it's to get high, you have a real problem.

Again, it all comes down to the matter of the heart.  Your heart already knows the answer to that question, and most certainly God knows - because God knows your heart!

So then the issue of whether to drink or not to drink is a heart issue, and one between you and the Lord.

• Let's take the wisdom of the Lord for instance, which gives wisdom for all situations in life.  In a crowd of unbelievers, a wise person will judge the situation and speak accordingly, or maybe not at all.  On the other hand, if there is a hurting person among the crowd and the wise person is either nudged by the Holy Spirit to speak, or senses that his advice will minister life to that person, then it is time to speak.  His words will not be wasted on someone who refuses, but it will rest upon someone who would receive because they are in a place to finally understand the words that will help them.    

• Children model us in how we live.  They copy us, and whether we like it or not, they become just like us.  They are walking in our footsteps. 
• So then, doesn't wisdom tell us that we need to be that righteous example to our children in order for them to walk in the righteous of God?
• Deut. 6:7 tells us that when we lie down, when we walk through our gate, when we walk down the road - teach your children.  In other words, we are teaching our children by our very actions, not just our words on how to live.  If we have bad habits, our children will probably pick them up as well.  If we gossip, chances are our children will do the same thing.  Who we are is replicated in our children.
• How blessed are the parents who wisely raised their children in the admonition of the Lord, teaching them the Word of God from a very young age.  And then more important, how blessed are those children, because they are carrying on the family heritage by the very righteous way they live their lives.

• It takes initiative and energy to get out of bed in the morning and get to work.  Hard work is rewarded by satisfaction of finishing a job, by doing it well, and helping others.  It will put food on the table and you will then have excess to help others.

• This was the very thing that King Solomon was faced with when he became king over Israel.  He went before God and did not ask for gold or gems of any sort.  He simply asked for wisdom in how to rule over the Kingdom of Israel.  Not only did God grant him that wisdom to rule over Israel, but He gave him riches as well.
• For a person to have all the wisdom of Solomon, it would only be a matter of time to where his wisdom also would bring on riches because he was the wisest of all kings throughout the world.  Other nations came to him bearing gold and gifts just to hear his words of wisdom.

There is a principle here in that to seek after God's wisdom, it will be that wisdom which will bring you to places and people who or what will become an instrument for you to get riches as well.

• Not to say that if you don't get riches, you are not wise in God's eyes, because riches come in many different forms.
• Your riches could be having a life filled with love of family and friends.
• Your riches could be having a business that you have dreamed of...or a ministry!
• Your riches could be living in health and have an inner fulfillment like you have never known before. 
• And it could be gold and silver.
• All because you sought after God's wisdom does He gives you the blessings that He knows will bring you great satisfaction in life.
• And then your final reward will be an eternity ruling and reigning with Christ Jesus