T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
March, 1937
99
with the, dreadful illusions of “ delirium tremens.” The effects of sin are the same in all ages.
Until the grace of God in Christ is ac cepted by the sinner, it is of little use to attempt to improve his condition. In doing so, one merely would correct the outward appearance, but leave the inward need un met. For the one addicted to strong drink, as well as for those who suffer from other diseases of the soul, the Lord Jesus Christ offers, in the new birth (John 3:3) the one panacea for evety ill. The nature of that form of intemperance which leads to drunkenness is set forth in our lesson (vs. 31,32). First, it has a fas cination like that which the adder is said to have for the bird. Safety is found only in the individual’s turning away immedi ately from the evil thing. Second, it is fatal to all who become entangled in its snare. Noah fell under this curse and lost shamefully thereby (cf. Gen. 9:21). And, third, it is false, promising delight, but giving only bitterness, wounds, bab blings, and distress. The Bible calls in temperance a curse. Points and Problems 1. In the light of the subject given this lesson by the Committee, “Effects of Alco holic Beverages,” its members must have assumed that the terrible immorality of the Sodomites was caused by the drinking of beverages of this kind. The passages se lected do not so teach. Genesis 13:13 and 19:23-25 say nothing about alcohol, and the reference in Deuteronomy 32:31-33 is a figurative presentation of God’s wrath. However, it is a well-known fact that alco hol breaks down the moral judgment, of men and leaves them without even the ordinary restraints of conventional respect ability. The curse of alcohol generally, though not always, goes with the immor ality of Sodom. The Lesson Committee might have found a passage in Genesis 19:30-38 which seems to link the two to gether. Doubtless the daughters of Lot had learned well the ways of the Cities of the Plain. On the other hand, let us not make the mistake of supposing that alcohol is guilty of causing all of man’s meanness. Many a Sodomite has become what he is entirely apart from alcohol. “ Out of the heart [not the stomach] . . . proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornica tions, murders,” and other sins (Mk. 7:21). 2. Proverbs 23:29-32 is a very appro priate passage to support the lesson sub ject. Nothing more accurate has ever been written as to the général effects of alcohol. (1) Woe and sorrow. The first word may be taken as a reference to the calamities which eventually come to the drinker, and the second to the subjective feelings they produce. (2) Contentions. Most men have a pugnacious strain which is released by the drug of alcohol. (3) Babbling. The word describes perfectly the loosened tongue of the drunkard. (4) Wounds without cause. This is divine irony. The alcoholic addict often gets into brawls over nothing. His wounds prove nothing but his own fool ishness. (5) Redness of eyes. The Hebrew expression means "darkness of eyes.” It is well known that alcohol in large amounts will affect the sight, sometimes blinding men. Verse 33 declares: “ Thine eyes shall behold strange things” (R. V .). Evidently, the writer of Proverbs was well acquainted
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Golden Text Illustration P roverbs 23:32
An actress in Munich was given a casket of the most beautiful workmanship. She delayed to open it till the last act, and then, as she did so, out sprang a viper. Similarly, intemperance in alcoholic bever ages often is allowed in a life because of its false attractiveness. But “ at the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”—Adapted from 1,000 Tales Worth Telling, by H. Pickering.
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A Man Who Had First Choice G enesis 13:5-13; 19:23-25
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God created Adam and Eve, there lived a man named Abraham. He had a brother
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