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50
Temperance
when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and
stingeth like an adder.”
The use of wine among the Israelites was one of the causes that
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finally resulted in their captivity. Through the prophet Amos the
Lord said to them:
“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion.... Ye that put far away
the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; that lie
upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and
eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the
stall; that chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves
instruments of music, like David; that drink wine in bowls, and
anoint themselves with the chief ointments; but they are not grieved
for the affliction of Joseph. Therefore now shall they go captive
with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched
themselves shall be removed.”
“Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes
eat in the morning! Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the
son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and
not for drunkenness!” “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for
kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink,
and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”
These words of warning and command are pointed and decided.
Let those in positions of public trust take heed lest through wine
and strong drink they forget the law, and pervert judgment. Rulers
and judges should ever be in a condition to fulfill the instruction
of the Lord: “Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If
thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto Me, I will
surely hear their cry; and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you
with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children
fatherless.”
The Lord God of heaven ruleth. He alone is above all authority,
over all kings and rulers. The Lord has given special directions
in His word in reference to the use of wine and strong drink. He
has forbidden their use, and enforced His prohibitions with strong
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warnings and threatenings. But His forbidding the use of intoxicat-
ing beverages is not an exercise of arbitrary authority. He seeks to
restrain men, in order that they may escape from the evil results of
indulgence in wine and strong drink. Degradation, cruelty, wretched-