1. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. “ – Genesis 14:18

2. “For seven days make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy, and whatever touches it will be holy. This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight. With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil from pressed olives, and --a quarter of a hin of wine-- as a drink offering.” – Exodus 29:37-40

3. “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite, they must --abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.--

As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the LORD is over; they must let their hair grow long.

Throughout the period of their dedication to the LORD, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the LORD. …..

….After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair that symbolizes their dedication, the priest is to place in their hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket, both made without yeast. The priest shall then wave these before the LORD as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.” – Numbers 6:1-20

4. “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not* drink henceforth* of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” – Matthew 26:26-29

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BIBLICAL LIVING 101 – Fun (Drinking/Wine)
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Is drinking fermented liquor permissible for a Christian?

We have answered this before when we took a sideways look at drinking as part of partying. The Word does not preach total abstinence from liquor, permits its use under a variety of circumstances (rejoicing being one of them!), but also warns against the pitfalls of drunkenness, and disapproves of that addiction in no uncertain terms.

So, yes, it is ok to enjoy the occasional adult beverage – however – it is much better to do so with a deeper understanding of what wine represents. Trust us, it will add to your enjoyment!

We cannot go into great depth on every conceivable aspect of this wonderful topic, but commend, for your reading the articles linked below for further study and discovery. In addition, we highly recommend bookmarking these tools in your browser for serious Bible Study, and a lot of wisdom.

Nave’s Topical Index: (on Wine)
https://www.biblestudytools.com/…/naves-topical-b…/wine.html

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia : (on Wine) https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/W/wine-wine-pres…

The complexity around dealing with the subject of wine is that most of us, are offended by the fact that fermented liquor, seems to be at odds with the biblical principle of leaven and its effect. Leaven is almost universally regarded as a symbol for evil - so by extension, fermentation is a bad thing, and when we see the effects of intoxication, our fears are confirmed.

Yet as Re: Passover – the reason for no leaven is - “The dough was without yeast because they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves.” – Exo 12:39. The lack of leaven was due to the exigencies surrounding their departure, and did not symbolize any ritual purity! God uses leaven to remind Israel of that departure, and also as a symbol for sin, so it cannot be used in any offerings representing His Son.(“Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread; neither shall the fat of my sacrifice remain until the morning.” – Exo 23:18). Yes, leaven is a symbol of purity, and fermentation/corruption was not to be tolerated in the temple offerings.

Well, Leaven was forbidden from all ritual sacrifices, but it is interesting to see wine used as a DRINK OFFERING on that same very altar!

Interesting… was this fermented wine? The answer is yes.

You can consult the sources we have cited here, but most commentators agree that new pressed wine ferments almost the same day in the conditions in Palestine, fermentation is a sign that the wine is now “wine” subject to the tithe, and most wine is stored for about 40 days before being served diluted with water, to the general population. You could not have any guarantee that wine (even newly pressed) would not have any traces of fermentation in it, which would disqualify it from being offered. No, this was fermented wine.

On the flip side, Priest were not permitted to have drunk wine/strong drink when they were ministering in the Tabernacle. (The same words are used interchangeably!) So while wine was permitted as a drink offering, intoxicated service is not something the Lord wants or honors. We see that in the holiness requirements of the Nazirite.

In the circumstances of an ordinary vow, men consecrated some material possession, but the Nazirite consecrated himself or herself, and took a vow of separation and self-imposed discipline for the purpose of some special service, and the fact of the vow was indicated by special signs of abstinence. (1) the strictest abstinence from wine and from every product of the vine;(2) the keeping of the hair uncut and the beard untouched by a razor;(3) the prohibition to touch a dead body; and(4) prohibition of unclean food (Judges 13:5-7; Numbers 6).
The most famous example was John the Baptist. It was also clearly a Nazirite's vow which Paul took, "having shorn his head in Cenchrea" (Acts 18:18), and which he completed at Jerusalem with other Christians similarly placed (Acts 21:23).

The very hairs of the Nazirites head were considered God’s property and offered up on the day his/her vow ended (usually 30/60/100 days), and THEN, the Nazirite could legitimately drink wine again!

In contrast to John the Baptist, our Lord was considered a “wine-bibber”, in that he enjoyed the company of ordinary people, and ate and drank what they did. It is recorded that His first miracle was turning water – not into unfermented grape juice, but high quality wine! We are sure of that, because of the words of the master of ceremonies - “Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.” – yes, people showed up at the wedding to drink and have a good time, and not discuss politics over grape juice!

Wine has a deep spiritual connection with joy – it is a symbol of God’s blessing and overflowing provisioning – “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” – Isiaiah 55:1 (Free booze !!! ) In the Messianic Age, we are even told that - “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.” – Joel 3:18

It is also a symbol for blood. Just as bread is intimately connected with life as food, wine is as intimately connected with us as blood is for life! We see it in Genesis where Melchizedek brought forth bread and wine for Abraham, echoed so many years later, in the Lord’s supper. The wine served there was what would normally have been served – the diluted, fermented, red beverage that was a staple of peoples diet.

There was nothing special about the wine our Lord used. His body and blood were unique in that they had no corruption in them, and it is why, out of reverence, we use unleavened bread and unfermented juice in the Lord’s Supper to observe and show forth a more perfect witness. Yet, as a drink offering, even fermented wine is wholly acceptable. Its not about the elements, its about who they point to!

Our Lord’s ministry is bookended by these two gatherings, and on both occasions, wine was in view! In fact, Christ makes a Nazirite vow not to drink of the fruit of the wine till the Kingdom of God comes again!!!!

Apart from wine made from grape juice, the Word recognizes other intoxicating drinks made from sugar (hence the word roots) - e.g. pomegranate wine, and date palm wine would have been common, before Israel dwelt in the land and planted vineyards. Wine and “strong drink” are used interchangeably in most cases.

So there is no virtue in 'just' drinking wine, but passing up other fermented drinks – it does not make you a better Christian for avoiding “hard” liquor. Wine is “hard liquor” when viewed from a Word perspective! :-)

It is a New Testament requirement that elders and bishops, while not prohibited from wine, should not be drunkards – else they are disqualified from office (A very sensible restriction!). That is why the Apostle says,

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” – Ephesians 5:18-20

This is the HIGH that we should be seeking! There is no hangover or side effect – and the Apostle also shows us the way – music and song!!!! Soon, the temporary exhilaration or numbing effect of alcohol will seem like a sense dulling thing, compared to the wonder and beauty of living a restored life in this beautiful planet – giving glory to God!

Hallelujah!