Bible Question:
What was the reason for Noah planting a vineyard and getting drunk? David |
Bible Answer: David, Drinking wine was a part of every day life in ancient cultures. There was nothing taboo about it then -- although there is now. Jesus himself was called a winebibber and a glutton. Matthew 11:19 KJV. The Bible does not condemn drinking wine. The Bible does however have something to say about drunkenness. Now culturally, there were times that it was acceptable to get stinking drunk. This happened during a time of celebration. Our culture is more aware of the negative aspects of drinking. We often ignore the positive aspects of drinking that the Bible refers to. for instance Psalm 104:14-17 14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted. Here we see that God causes the grass to grow, and the herbs, and wine to make the heart of man glad. If Jesus drank wine ... the mere act of drinking wine cannot be considered sin. If God supplies wine to make the heart of man glad -- it cannot be all bad. But substance abuse is what the Bible condemns. When the substance has control of the man rather than the man having control of the substance. The Bible does not say that Noah sinned in getting drunk. But it was Ham that sinned by looking upon his fathers nakedness. Now communion in the first century church drank from a cup of wine -- not grape juice as we do today. And today Jews still celebrate passover with wine. Medical doctors today recognize that drinking wine in moderation is good for the body and helps circulation. As you read through the Bible you will find that people drank wine like we do milk. And not just the bad people. All the prophets including Jesus Himself. Biynah |