Week 18: Genesis 9:18-24
Day 4: Do Not Be Drunk, But be Filled with the Spirit
Read: Genesis 9:20-21 “Noah began to be a man of the soil (a husbandman), and he planted a vineyard. He drank of the wine and became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent.”
Usually, when we read others opinions on Noah getting drunk, we immediately assume that Noah had a reputation of being a drunkard. In other words, habitually drunk. But this is not at all what we read from the text given to us. It is never a good idea to read more into something than what is actually revealed. We are given very little information on the why of Noah’s inebriation, and what we do have, does not say that Noah sinned or was even reprimanded. This may reveal Noah was actually blameless in this one act.
The conditions of farming the earth became drastically different, after the Flood. The soil was probably different and the sun more potent. It seems that Noah was the first to plant a vineyard, after the flood, and the first to drink some of the fruit of it. Both of these terms: “vinedresser” and “drunk”, were the first mentioned, in the Bible. We cannot presume that Noah already had experience with the fermentation of grapes. Nevertheless, after this occasion of Noah drinking “of the wine”, with no mention of him partaking excessively on purpose, he became drunk. If post-flood atmospheric conditions surprised Noah with the vine’s potency, could this single recorded act of drunkenness, have been accidental on Noah’s part?
It would seem terribly unfair to label Noah a (habitual) drunkard for all eternity, when there is no subsequent proof he ever let it happen again. The literal definition of drunkard, or even glutton, for that matter, is “one who habitually consumes more than is needed or required; in excess.”
Having said that, it would seem that Noah learned a valuable lesson, as did his sons and grandsons. Drinking more than enough, risks predisposing a person to great shame and heartaches. No one disputes that knowingly and purposely getting drunk is disallowed biblically. At this point in Noah’s story, he became suddenly aware of what fermented wine, even “some”, in this new world, could do. Being a godly man, I think it’s safe to believe that Noah didn’t intend to get drunk at all, if he even knew what that meant. Certainly Noah doesn’t deserve the bad rap of being labeled a “drunkard”. It’s sad that a righteous man like Noah has had to take the fall, for being the first to happen upon drunkenness, in the Bible. But I suppose someone would eventually have been the first.
Since “love always thinks the best” when in doubt, we would be wise, to take Noah’s unfortunate experience to heart, learn from his presumed innocent ignorance, and not repeat the same mistake.
Main Idea: Consider applying the lifestyle, of the disciples of Jesus, to overcome the temptation to get drunk with wine, beer or strong drink.
Application Questions:
· To walk with God, we must walk in the Spirit. To walk in the Spirit is to be filled with the Spirit. When filled with the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will manifest in your life: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness and Self-Control. Does the way you eat, drink or even do other things in excess, currently exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, in particular self-control?
· Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
Do you struggle with moderation in all things? Do you get drunk habitually?
· Acts 13:52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Since today’s subject is the matter of drunkenness, you should be aware that the Bible is clear: those who practice drunkenness will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Therefore, if this is your current lifestyle, it’s of utmost eternal value to humble yourself, confess your sins, to one another, and be made whole, in Jesus name.
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