Beer and Wine

[Faithful]

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine to those in bitter distress. Let him drink so that he can forget his povertyand remember his trouble no more" (Prov. 31.6,7).

"Wine makes man’s heart glad — making his face shine with oil — and bread that sustains man’s heart" (Ps. 104.15). Medically and scientifically we know people live longer if they have two glasses of alcohol per day.

Most proverbs state a single general truth with little attempt to note exceptions and qualifications. Such an approach effectively emphasizes the principle taught by 'avoiding distractions of qualifications.' The authors of proverbs also emphasize the points they wanted to make through the use of idealized examples and hyperbole.

While the sluggard, for example, is a real character, he is described in exaggerated terms that set his basic characteristics in clear relief. One would probably never find someone who perfectly fits the description of a sluggard, because the person whose picture emerges from putting together the various pieces of the sluggard mosaic in the book is a stereotypical character. The same is also true of the excellent woman in Proverbs 31 and for the wise man and for the foolish described throughout the book.

[clark thompson]

The bible never talks about beer but does mention wine, getting drunk is a strong temptation for many and this is why I do not drink, this prevents me from having them struggles because of my account.

[Faithful]

It says "strong drink" so anything drink with alcohol in it is what is meant. If the temptation is too great that you can't limit yourself to 2 drinks per day then it is probably better for you not to have any at all.

[Nottheworld]

"A feast is prepared for laughter, and wine makes life happy, and money is the answer for everything" (Eccl. 10.19). This is not cynical greed. This verse suggests a little wine can be good just as we need some money. Eccl. 2.1-11 and 6.1-6 have shown wealth is not the answer, but this verse gives a balanced to this picture. Affluence is no the source of happiness, but abject poverty is not a blissful condition (see Prov. 30.8-9). People need some money in order to get along in life, just as some drink can be useful as well. Cults take a teaching to the extreme.