Expert: Rev C.Brian Ross - 5/15/2008

Question
Hello,
I was wondering if you  could tell me anything about what the bible really thinks about wine. Is it a good thing? or a bad thing? according to scripture.
Thank you

~Olivia

Answer
Dear Olivia,
Thank you for your question.
In Genesis 1 we read that God looked on all of His creation, and declared that it was very good.  It follows, therefore, that any individual object/substance that has been created is, of itself, good.  
When we turn to the specific subject of wine, we discover a number of interesting references.  We discover that wine is used as an offering to God (Gen. 35:14) and, later, that it is commanded to be one of the formal offerings brought by the Children of Israel (Ex.22:29; Lev.213:13; etc).  In Gen 14:18, we also note that the mysterious figure of Melchizedek brings wine to Abraham.
In Jotham’s parable (Jud.9:7ff), wine is described as cheering both God and people (v.13); while Prov.3:9-10 assures us that honouring the Lord with our material substance will result in Him filling our barns with grain – and our vats with “good wine”!  The wise writer of Ecclesiastes (Solomon?) assures us that “… wine gives happiness …” (10:19), and Jeremiah – often described as the prophet of doom! – proclaims “This is what the Lord, El-Israel, says ‘May all your jars be filled with wine.’” (13:12).
Jumping to the New Testament, perhaps the most significant references are those that refer to Jesus’ own words at His last Passover with the inner band of the disciples, when He used wine as the symbol of His own blood, about to be shed for the sins of mankind (Lk.22:20; I Cor.11:25).  The first miracle that the Lord Jesus performed was to turn water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee (Jn.2:1-11).  Paul encourages Timothy to take some wine – at least for medicinal purposes (I Tim.5:23).
However, there is another side to all of this!  Wine was used to make possible the incestuous acts between Lot and his daughters (Gen.19:30-37) with unfortunate results for the Children of Israel, as both the Moabites and the Ammonites were enemies of Israel at various times in their joint histories.  Wine is compared to “… the venom of serpents, the deadly poison of cobras.” (Deut.32:33)   Prov.20:1 reminds us that “Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls.  Those led astray by drink cannot be wise”, and we are advised “Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.  For, in the end, it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper.” (23:31-32).
The prophet Isaiah declares the Lord’s judgement on sinful leaders who say “Come … let’s get some wine and have a party.  Let’s all get drunk.  Then, tomorrow, we’ll do it again, and have an even bigger party.” (56:12), and Hosea is used to condemn princes who, on royal holidays, get drunk with wine (7:5)
The New Testament also speaks of “the wine of … passionate immorality” (Rev.14:8); and of “the wine of God’s anger” (14:10), and His “fierce wrath” (16:19).
In summary, I would suggest that the Bible does not condemn the use of wine, per se, but that it does point out – and condemn – the abuse of wine through excessive consumption and drunkenness.  In other words, and in the precise terms of your question, it is neither godd nor bad.  It is our use, or abuse, of the substance that has a moral aspect.  By the way, I am teetotal, while my wife enjoys a glass of wine when we are out for a meal!
I trust that this will have helped a little, but please feel free to ask a supplementary question.
Blessings,
C. Brian Ross (Rev)