Proverbs 20:1
How does wine mock? How does strong drink rage? How do they deceive men? Here are powerful figures of speech creating a short, excellent proverb against excessive drinking. If you desire to be wise, then you must be very cautious with substances that can shamefully mock you or loose your violent passions. If you arrogantly think you can easily handle alcohol without strict discipline or limits, you are a fool.
Does this proverb condemn moderate use of wine or strong drink? Absolutely not! The Lord made them both for your pleasure (31:6-7; Ps 104:14-15; Deut 14:26). The beverage of choice in the Bible was wine (Gen 14:18; II Sam 6:19; Eccl 10:19; John 2:1-11; I Tim 5:23), but it was not to be used to the excess of drunkenness (Eph 5:18; Luke 21:34).
The proverb has two beautiful metonyms. Metonymy is a figure of speech where a related thing is substituted for another. It adds beauty and force to language. The Bible is full of metonymy and other figures, so that superficial readings and primary definitions are often ludicrous, especially of proverbs (1:6). Consider these common examples:
1. “Step on the gas” substitutes the fuel for the accelerator pedal. We do not want anyone to stand on a gas can. We really mean for the driver to speed up the car.
2. “He really used his head” substitutes the location of thinking for the brain. We don’t mean he banged his skull. We really mean he used good thinking to solve a problem.
3. “The White House announced” substitutes the place where he lives for our President. We do not mean that our leader’s residence actually spoke, for it is an inanimate object. We really mean that the President gave new information to the public.
Examine the first clause, “wine is a mocker.” Wine is the fermented, alcoholic juice of the grape, and to mock someone is to ridicule or make a fool of him. Wine will stay in a bottle or glass quite meekly. It does not do anything rude by itself. It can remain in a wine cellar for many years without ridiculing or shaming anyone. How is wine a mocker?
Wine is not a mocker itself. Wine is a metonym for drunkenness. The figure of speech substitutes a cause for the effect. The Bible says the tongue is a world of iniquity (Jas 3:6). How so? A tongue is only a muscle in your mouth. But the wrongful use of the tongue is sinful! Again, as in this category of metonymy, a cause is put for the effect.
Wine will mock you, if you drink too much of it (23:29-35). Excessive drinking can make you drunk, which is to lose moral inhibitions, personal self-control, or even basic motor skills. Then you will make a fool of yourself. Though having the best of intentions for wisdom, you will make a joke of your own reputation. Consider what it did to Noah (Gen 9:21), Lot (Gen 19:31-36), Nabal (I Sam 25:36-38), and Elah (I Kgs 16:8-10).
Examine the second clause, “strong drink is raging.” Strong drink is a beverage from the fermentation or distillation of various substances, and rage is an outburst of violent anger. Happily for grocers and restaurant owners, beer and whiskey will stay in bottles without fighting, even for years, even on the same shelf! How does strong drink rage?
Strong drink does not rage itself. Strong drink is a metonym for drunkenness. The figure of speech substitutes a cause for the effect. The Bible says the rod gives wisdom (29:15). How so? A rod is a short stick of wood. But the prudent use of corporal punishment is a good teacher. Again, as in this category of metonymy, a cause is put for the effect.
Strong drink can lead to rage, if you drink too much of it. Excessive drinking can make you drunk, and you may fight for no reason. The loss of ordinary inhibitions can cause you to lose your temper much faster than normal and overlook the consequences of yelling or fighting. The tongue is loosened first, then the anger, and then the fists. Stories of barroom brawls are Legion. The proverb is true!
If you drink without sober fear for these dangers of alcohol, you are a fool. Drunkenness can creep up on you and relax you into its warm folly before you realize. No wise man will drink without definite limits and conscious care to avoid drunkenness. He is committed to prudent conduct, which does not allow for even small amounts of folly (Eccl 10:1), so he will not risk his reputation by even getting close to drunkenness.
The solution is not the lie of the Temperance Movement – total abstinence and a constitutional prohibition. If that were true, then bread and meat should be despised and outlawed for their roles in gluttony! Temperance is not abstinence; it is self-discipline, which is the rule of the Christian’s life (I Cor 9:24-27). It is a shame to hear Christians ignorantly ridiculing beer or wine, while glutting themselves to obesity at a cheap buffet!
A man committed to living a holy and virtuous life for the glory of God will be careful and fearful with wine and strong drink, just as he will with pizza and pies. He does not want to sin in any area of life. And leaders are to exemplify this conservative regard for holiness, whom God has put under stricter rules for wine (31:4-5; I Tim 3:3,8; Titus 1:7).
Though Jesus of Nazareth was called a winebibber, or a drunkard, by his enemies (Matt 11:19), He was never drunk. He drank wine, and even made wine for a wedding, but He was always moderate and temperate in its use. He was the epitome of righteous sobriety. He always did those things that pleased His Father, and drunkenness does not (John 8:29; Gal 5:16-21). Remember, there are no drunkards in heaven (I Cor 6:9-10).
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