Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"Woe to men mighty at drinking wine"
Text: Isaiah 5:22
ALCOHOLISM IN ANCIENT JUDAH
The pronouncement of “woe” to the drunkards was already mentioned earlier (Isaiah 5:11-12). There the focus was on those who were caught up in revelry without restraints.
“Woe to men mighty at drinking wine,
Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink,
Who justify the wicked for a bribe,
And take away justice from the righteous man!”
Isaiah 5:22-23
1. There were those who promoted drinking heavily.
a) They prided themselves as “mighty at drinking wine”.
i) Drinking of wine in this context is not merely partying.
ii) These were drinking sessions where people indulged in
“mixing intoxicating drinks”.
b) The making of wine:
i) There is some danger involved.
ii) Not all believe in making sure that wine is unadulterated.
iii) The word “moonshine” is used to describe wine that is toxic
and dangerous for consumption.
iv) There were those who mixed their wine with dreadful consequences.
v) To these people, caution was thrown to the winds.
vi) They posed great danger to all who were involved in these drinking binges.
2. Woe was pronounced against those who perverted justice.
a) Those who were wealthy used their funds to bribe judges.
b) The poor were always the helpless victims.
c) Justice was not upheld when so much corruption took place.
d) “Woe” was solemnly pronounced against those who perverted justice.
e) The righteous often suffered terribly at the hands of wicked.