D29-5: Wine And Strong Drinks Are Perfectly Acceptable According To The Scriptures

“You didn’t eat bread, and you didn’t drink wine or other intoxicating liquor; this was so that you would know that ‘I am Adonai your God.’”-Deuteronomy 29:5

Verse 5 tells us that while dwelling in the Wilderness, the Israelites did not eat bread nor drink wine or intoxicating liquor (strong drinks).

And what’s the reason?

The reason was so they would know that Adoani was their Lord.

Another thing you should know is this verse is NOT speaking out against drinking wine or other strong drinks (SHEKAR in Hebrew).

And of course, it’s not speaking out against eating bread as well.

This verse is simply pointing out that instead of the basic staples of bread and wine, the Hebrews subsisted on supernaturally-provided Manna, quail and water.

Think about it for a second.

LECHEM (bread) is the product of human labor.

YAYIN (wine) is also the product of human labor.

However, the Manna which came down from heaven came ready-made to eat.

The Quail also came ready-made to eat and literally fell from the heavens.

The Hebrews didn’t have to raise, feed nor breed these birds.

The water also wasn’t the product of human labor.

It wasn’t taken from wells that were dug, canals that were dredged, or cisterns constructed to capture the flash flood waters.

Whenever the Hebrews found themselves in a pinch and unable to find water from natural sources such as springs, the Lord provided water ironically from the most absurd and improbable sources like big boulders and rocks.

All of this was done so that no Hebrew could boast and take credit for the provisions of life during the 40 years they spent out in the wilderness.

Also, take note of the three spheres of existence from which the nourishment of life for the people of Israel originated.

The Manna came from Heaven.

The quail came from the skies.

And the water came from the earth.

Heaven represents the spiritual world.

The skies represent the space above the ground but outside the dimension of heaven (where the stars at night reside).

And the earth is the ground we live on.

This is frickin’ awesome!

HASHEM is Lord over all areas of existence-both the seen and unseen realms!

And He provides for our needs from every one of these dimensions.

This is downright goosebump-inducing!

One final point.

The Scriptures absolutely do NOT prohibit wine and strong drinks.

You read that right homies.

I’m telling you there ain’t nothing wrong with alcoholic beverages and even getting a little tipsy during special events and celebrations.

I mean what’s the point in drinking alcohol if you’re not going to get a little tipsy anyway?

In fact, wine is the Biblical symbol and metaphor of joy.

Why in the heck do you think Yeshua turned water into wine (strong wine at that!) during the wedding?

Because weddings are supposed to be joyous occasions and since the wedding Yeshua and his mother were attending was running out of wine, in order to keep spirits high (double pun intended), Yeshua provided joy via the supernatural provision of wine.

You may be wondering…

…why is wine in the Scriptures symbolic of joy?

Because of the intoxicating effect it has, obviously.

The wine allowed folks to let go of their daily burdens, relax and feel less pain in their bodies.

Because of the wine, the people would loosen up, laugh more and just let go of their worldly cares for a time.

And not just wine, but even hard liquor was totally cool beans.

Yup, beer, cocktails, gin, rum…all that good stuff is allowable according to the Scriptures.

Of course, I’m not promoting wanton bend-over-and-throw-up-on-the-streets drunkenness, alcoholism and irresponsibility.

But having a drink or two (or even three) at a special event is perfectly allowable.

Personally, I love sweet drinks like Tequila Sunrise.

So the next time you’re at a party, have a drink on me!