Ironworks

  In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah . 1 Kings 16:8-9 Remember Baasha? The Word of the Lord came to the prophet Jehu son of Hanani who declared, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat (1 Kings 16:3). God’s prophecy would come true. It is not surprising though that Elah was not doing himself any favors with his choice in entertainment. He was not a righteous king by any means but consider the opportunity that Elah gave for Zimri. Elah was said to be drinking himself drunk. What could go wrong? When one partakes in alcohol, he opens himself up to all sorts of folly. Proverbs 23:20-21 reads , Be not among winebibbers; among...

Last Sunday morning, I preached on the subject of alcohol. It was presented to show that no bit of alcohol is safe, social, or condoned by the Bible. I felt it necessary to share a few more answers that are often cited as possible contradictions to God’s command regarding alcohol consumption. In 1 Tim. 3:3 some of the qualifications of Bishops (Elders) are given. It is written that the elder is not to be given to wine. Yet, in verse 8, we find that for a deacon to be qualified, he must be not given to much wine (cf. 1 Tim 3:8). This presents a potential problem for many who are confused. Yet, if we remember, a warning against excess does not approve the action in and of itself. Consider Ephesians 4:26. Paul writes, “ Do not let the sun go down on your wrath.”  Does that mean that wrath is okay to be practiced before sundown? By the logic of the social drinking proponent, it must. If we go a little further in the same passage, we find a description of the Godly wife of a deaco...