for centuries the controversy has raged between fundamentalist Christians and their mainline counterparts over the subject of the drinking of wine. Was such practice biblical and if so, could one receive intoxication from drinking such a beverage? The first reference to wine,
yayin,
is in Genesis 9:20 where Noah was the first man to plant a vineyard. Egyptian wall paintings from this period show the wine baskets that were used in a wine press. (see Is 5:2, 16:10, Jer 48:33)The development of the grape from juice to an alcoholic beverage was a prophetic picture of Israel becoming a nation and a people become righteous through the action of the cosmic wine press. (see Zech 9:15) The wine was also a symbol of a blood covenant (from Gen 49:11, Hos 14:8) based on the wine of Lebanon. This was also regarded in the authorized version as liquor,
reqah.
(see Eze 5:1 and Is 25:6) The categories for old wine,
and
semador,
are found in the Mishna where a
more
and Italian white wine is mentioned. When strong drink,
Shekar,
is cited at the Jewish festivals in Deut 16:9, it is a reference to Egyptian barley beer being prepared for drinking at the Feast of Tabernacles. The barley was harvested in the spring near Pentecost, aged to be consumed in the Fall, and was a counterpart to modern Coors much to the delight of Anheuser Busch and Adolf Coors. The wine was also provided for travelers and religious observances. (see Jos 9:13, Gen 14:18 and Jud 19:19) In addition, wine was medicine for kings and kept in royal stores. (see Gen 40:2 and Neh2:1) Strong drink was only a mocker when one became intoxicated. (Is 22:12-13,28:1, Jos 3:1, Prov 20:1, 21:17, 23:29-35) Drunkenness was symbolic of a broken covenantal vow. When one examines Judges 9:13, the record says God enjoys a good cup of wine
“the gods received much joy”
Only Nazarites and the sons of Johanadad forbade themselves to drink wine. (Num 6:3, Jud 13:4, Jer35:2)The Son of Man in New Testament CultureThe New Testament teaches the Son of Man was not an ascetic but came
“eating and drinking” like those in the Pharisaic tradition. In fact, our Lord’s first
miracle in Mark 2:22 was the turning water into wine to show the nearness of
Israel’s covenant marriage. It is impossible for texts such as these to refer to
grape juice only. Even the term gluekos from Acts 2:13 is a reference to Ecc
9:10. (see Luke 5:39) Plenty regarded this drink which was “old wine” as most
hurtful to the stomach
. In modern terms, it would be considered “rotgut” and was
generally considered to be at least 50% fermented. This was an ancient counterpart to Thunderbird, Night Train, Valley High, and MD 2020. The term oinos was generally used throughout the New Testament to refer to wine drinking at the
Lord’s Supper, for liturgical reasons (see 1 Cor 11:23), for medicinal purposes
(see Luke 10:34) and was served at all festivities in John 2:3. Bread and wine were considered to be the staples of life. The Grapes of Wrath
The “grapes of wrath”
in Rev 18:3 deals with those who have drunk of the bad teachings of Babylon
and her impure passion. Today’s believers should be sober-minded and always in control of their faculties with the understanding that alcoholic beverages were a part of ancient worship. So, would Jesus have been in the barroom scene as the New English version declares? Absolutely! He was accused of being a glutton who laughed and drank.