Rightly Understanding Deuteronomy
14:22-26
This passage is often quoted
to “prove” that the Bible permits
and even encourages a saint to use his tithe to buy and drink alcoholic
wine and or strong drink, if he is too far from the temple or what we know of
as the church.
It also is used to prove that
the Bible permits the social drinking of intoxicants. I would like to offer an
alternative view and will argue that these verses are quoted out of its context
and without the benefit of any comparison to related passages with the entire Bible
in view. The best interpretation of
scripture is with scripture. Keep in
mind God is not confused, He will not say drink in one passage and not drink in
another. He is infinitely consistent
and if there appears to be a contradiction, that apparent contradiction is
because we have not yet come to fully understand or know the wisdom or council
of God. I will also mention that it is a strong belief
of mine that God is not a God who contradicts himself.
So, we need to hear the rest
of the story. The first thing that I would say about this passage, that needs to be pointed out is that we are
dealing with the tithe that the field brings forth, the corn (raw
grain), the wine (fresh grapes), the oil (ripe olives), and the flocks and
herds. The primary focus of this passage
is not eating or drinking, but especially not on drinking. However, the main focus of this passage is that of
making an offering.
If the tither could not get
to the temple, with his tithe of goods, due to distance or encumbrance, he was
given the option to exchange the tithe of the fruit of the field and herds for
money. He was then instructed to go to
the temple location and convert the money back into goods (sheep, grapes,
olives, grain, and yes, and yes even strong drink) and to tithe it.
Second, the word
"lusteth" is not used in the perverted sense but in the sense of the
word that follows it, that which one "desireth" to buy {KJV}. The modern day vernacular might best say it
this way: “Use that money then to buy whatever your heart longs for.”
Keep in mind, and I would
argue that God is a gracious God and in full relationship with him there is
freedom, but wisdom in that freedom is always a biblically expectation, and As
pal says in Romans concern for others should be our concern above ourselves.
One of the things I think you
will note as you read and study this is clear: The tither was to partake of his
reconstituted goods by eating it
(not drinking it) before the Lord, with his servants, while at the temple
location. Prior to this passage in the
12th chapter of Deuteronomy {see verses 17-18 &26} The tithe, the
firstfruits, and the offerings were not to be eaten at home. They were to be
eaten at the temple before the Lord. Here is a question for us to consider: Why did he not say drink it? Either I am splitting hairs, or there is a
reason and there lies an interpretive key to unlock the door of wisdom.
Also keep in mind, that the
tither's servants and the Levites and priests were to be provided with
provisions as well as the means for the sacrifices. Note that they were to be
given NEW WINE. Why? God has strictly forbid the consumption, of strong
drink while in the Tabernacle and Temple.
{See Leviticus 10: 8-11} Verse 9
says it was to be a forever statue throughout all generations. May I remind you that forever promises, and
forever statutes need forever to be fulfilled.
Why forbid, alcohol in the
tabernacle? It was an unholy
thing. The whole point of Leviticus
Chapter 10 was to teach the people about the holiness of God. God says in verse 10, this was to be done so
that one could distinguish between the Holy and the unholy, and between the
clean and unclean. This was not only to distinguish
between the two, but it was intended to teach the difference between the
two. They were not only to hold this
truth for themselves, but they were to teach it to others pass it along.
The priests were specifically
prohibited from DRINKING STRONG DRINK, while engaged in temple duties.
Notice also that they were to bring the HOLY THINGS that they needed “FOR
OUR OFFERINGS,” i.e., STRONG DRINK, not for their
consumption. {Also see Nehemiah 10:37-39}
When one considers the place
where these offerings are to be done, at the Tabernacle/Temple and not at home
or any other place one sees fit, they
were to be offered and eaten to the Lord at a specified place, A place where He chose His habitation, and
His dwelling. {See Deuteronomy 12:5-8,
13-14} A saint was not to do what was
right in his own eyes. But rather he was
to obey God’s desires and expectations.
Concerning the burnt offering
and drink offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai. It was a sacrifice made by fire unto the
Lord, and the drink offering poured out unto the Lord. The drink offering, admittedly, often-strong
fermented drink was to BE POURED for the LORD and not poured into oneself. The drink offering was not for personal
consumption, but for pouring out. It was
to be emptied out. {Question: If indeed
it was intended to be emptied out how could it intoxicate anyone?}
There is another point to
ponder: The burnt offering and the drink
offering were often typical of the wrath of God. We see the wrath of God poured out on His
Son, Jesus Christ. Strong drink, is no
doubt a product of leaven, which was often representative of what? SIN. As we have noted, it was not to be drunk by
even the priests that entered the tabernacle.
Some of the offerings were
leavened some were not. What is going on?
A distinction is being made. What
is been distinguished? I would submit to
you, I think it is the Holy things and the unholy things.
The meat {offering}, sin{offering},
trespass{offering}, peace{offering}, and thanksgiving offerings were baked without leaven {see Leviticus 6:15-17; 7:12; 10:12; Numbers 6:17).
While, the new meat offering with its drink offerings and peace offering
(Leviticus 7:13) and wave offerings (Leviticus
23:15-18) were baked with leaven AND BURNT on the altar (Leviticus 23:15-18).
It seems that if holiness and
sinlessness were represented in these offerings then leaven was not
engaged. However, when sin or the
judgment of sin was being represented, leaven and fire were engaged.
All of this to teach and to
show the Holiness of God, not to encourage the consumption of King Alcohol. Why teach the holiness of God? Because man is sinful and unclean. So we are to discipline our bodies and desire
to honor the God who saved us. Of course
he brings freedom, but in that freedom we have great accountability. Furthermore, I happen to think that for us in the 21st
century to look back through these ancient text and with a failure to
understand culture and customs, extract
a doctrine of drink is rather arrogant.
All of this, just so we can point
to the Bible and say let us lift a beer in honor of the text.
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