The Alcohol Problem

Genesis 13:13; 19:23-25; Deuteronomy 32:31-33: Amos 6:1-7

GOLDEN TEXT: “The way of the ungodly shall perish.”—Psalms 1:6

AS PHYSICAL food and drink stimulate and sustain the functioning and activity of our human body, so the Scriptures point out that accepted teachings, doctrines, directly affect our characters, our hearts, our conduct and the use or misuse of our opportunities in life. The group of texts composing our lesson calls attention to the degenerating effect of evil thoughts and practices and the judgments of God which will, sooner or later, inevitably follow upon those who engage in them. In the first two sections we are reminded of the depraved and licentious conduct of the Sodomites, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah under the judgment of God, which has become—even down to our day—an illustration of His righteous indignation against wickedness and degeneracy.

The quotation from the thirty-second chapter of Deuteronomy is a portion of the song of Moses “The Rock of Israel”—delivered on the very day in which the summons came to end his course. As a prophet, Moses foresaw the departure of Israel from the Law of God and their fall into the evils and the idolatry of the nations which the Lord would drive out before them in the land of Canaan. He speaks of the judgment that would come upon them, and then says that this would be impossible except their Rock, the Lord, had withdrawn His protecting care and delivered them, for correction, to their enemies. In his description of these enemies he points out that their success was not because of their righteousness, but rather that “their vine is of the vine of Sodom, [or, ‘worse than’ the vine of Sodom—Margin] and the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are the grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.”

This illustration of a false vine and its product—its essence or wine—confusing and binding the one who partakes as to his best interests and his proper course in the service of God, and stimulating and inciting such an one to evil, is frequently used in the Bible, and represents teachings and practices contrary to the will of God and harmonious with the great adversary of God, the devil.

The last section of our lesson tells of a time in the history of Israel when this departure from the law of God and His precepts, foretold by Moses, had come to pass. At that time some members of the nation of Israel had become wealthy and many of the nation’s most brilliant people had settled down to ease and luxury—to self-gratification.

The Lord through the Prophet Amos upbraided them, warning them that He was not pleased with such a course. He tells them that woes are to be expected as a result. It was the mission of Amos to call attention to the fact that aggressive selfishness had accumulated greatly, that the wealthy were living in luxury, and that these conditions fostered pride and moral laxity amongst them; while the poor were being filled with avarice, losing respect for God and religion, for truth and mercy, and the desire for further knowledge of God. Society was then on the edge of a great volcano and God declared that an eruption was near at hand.

This lesson is not inappropriate to our time. Notwithstanding the progress that has been made in many lines, and notwithstanding the philanthropic sentiments of many, inside and outside of the Christian church, nevertheless there is danger. The inordinately rich are in great danger of injuring themselves. Some of them cannot devise ways and means by which to consume even their incomes. Luxuries of every kind have been tested in the hope of finding rest, happiness, joy, peace. And not finding these, mankind still pursues them, seeking new avenues to happiness. Wealth has brought increased opportunities for sin in its various forms.

The influence, too, upon the poor has been notable. They also, seeking pleasure, imagine erroneously that the rich and indolent are finding it, while they, themselves, are seeking in vain. Thus the poor, surrounded by the wonderful blessings of our day, are often miserable, because they are discontented. They want happiness, joy, pleasure, and believe they could obtain these through wealth. The result is the development of anger and malice and jealousy of the rich. The way is thus paved for most evil and atrocious conditions, and many are fearful, being persuaded that our present favorable social conditions are maintained by only a slender thread which may sometime in the near future be broken as a result of economic pressure and inequities, as it has been in many other parts of the world.

We are reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words to Timothy: “Charge them that are rich in this word, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” (I Tim. 6:17) These words could be well applied to our day. Those trusting in the uncertainty of riches either acquired or still sought, need to arouse themselves. They need to learn the lesson that the pleasure they seek lies not in the indulgence of self, but rather in self-sacrifice—in the service of others. Indeed, this is the great lesson for all to learn—both rich and poor. While millions are seeking happiness, remarkably few have found it.

In this great time of trouble in which we are living, all mankind, both rich and poor, are to learn the vanity of these earthly things alone to bring happiness and peace—“that a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” (Luke 12:15) Father Adam rebelled against the divine will and by breaking his covenant, precipitated upon himself the reign of sin and death. But shortly God will roll away the curse and bring blessings and opportunities to every member of our race—through the seed of Abraham now being developed, through whom all the families of the earth will be instructed, judged and blessed.

QUESTIONS:

What are the effects of true and false doctrines in the Christian life?

What is illustrated in our lesson by a false vine and its products?

Is it wise for a Christian to put his trust in material riches?

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