I thought it would be interesting to begin a list of scriptural world-changing events that were directly related to the use of alcohol. As a recovering alcoholic and addict myself, I fully understand the implications of using mind-altering chemicals and the severe consequences of the use of same. But, is alcohol a tool of the Kenites, the children of Caine, who deceive? Or, is it an instrument of the one who is described as an angel of light who is the father of lies and deceit? What are the long-term effects of over indulgence in this ancient drink? What are some of the Biblical events that changed history according to what we know from scriptures? I will start out with a few of the most extreme cases that would alter our world history to this day. I would invite all of you to investigate the complicity of alcohol and its effects on the human race.

The very first mind-altering substance may well have been consumed by Adam and Eve by the beguiling of the serpent of old. When they ate of the fruit, their eyes were opened to their nakedness, which then became shameful to all of mankind. They attempted to hide and lie and blame the other and in the end, all suffered the consequences of their choices to indulge in what was not advised by God. They were intoxicated with their own desires and not with the will of God.
And then came Caine and Abel, brothers and twins. The one Caine tended the fields as a farmer, while Abel was a keeper of sheep. The jealousy that led to Caine murdering his brother was also a moment that would forever change the history of the world. Caine would never be listed in the genealogy of Adam. Seth would be listed as the first born of Adam and Eve. Although it is an extreme conjecture, but might we think that some of the fruits reaped and ingested by Caine may also have consumed his rational mind? Ah well, just something to consider as to why so early on a man could murder his own brother. As a result of this murder, Caine was sent away to wander in the land of Nod, and his children would always carry the mark that God had set in his mind, the spirit of anti-christ.

After the flood, Noah and his family would be responsible for replenishing the earth. Ham, the youngest son of Noah would become the father of Philistia, the Philistines or those who are today called Palestinians. He was also sent away from his family because of an alcohol-related incident. It seems that Noah over-indulged in wine one night and as he stumbled into his tent he also discarded his garments and became naked. Rather than do the honorable thing and cover his father up, Ham looked upon his father's nakedness, which is also interpreted by some to mean upon his mother's incestuously. He then went and told his brothers what he had seen. His brothers went in backwards so as not to see their nakedness and covered Noah and presumably their mother. Upon learning of his son's disgraceful behavior, Noah sent Ham away and his name became Canaan, the father of the Canaanites and modern day Palestine, although it is only a fraction of its former size.

When Abraham and Lot left Egypt, their families and goods grew too large for the land to accomodate all their people, so they separated and Lot chose to go the plain of Jordan and would later reside in Sodom. Lot and his wife and family would be instructed to leave the city and then the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God. But Lot's wife was still intoxicated with her desires she was required to leave behind and looked back in disobedience to God's command. Lot's daughters feared they would never find a man and bear children. What was their solution? To get their father drunk in two consecutive nights and lay with him to become impregnated. Their children would become the Moabites and Ammonites who would become bitter enemies of Abraham's descendants.

David got Uriah drunk thinking he could deceive him about David impregnating Bathsheba. When this failed David contrived a plan to send Uriah back onto the battlefield where he woul eventually be killed. This was a case where King David understood fully the implications and behaviors of a drunken person.

It is supposed that Samson violated his Nazarene vows partaking in a party that would result in him falling asleep on the lap of his traitorous paramour Delilah. Again, an act of poor decision that would result in his eventual death. Would he have submitted his secret to Delilah had he not been drunk?

And in the New Testament, we are cautioned over and again about the evils of drunkeness. But to help you along, I will cite readings throughout the Bible that make reference to drinking and drunkeness.

Old Testament:Gen. 9:21,22; Deut. 29:19; Prov. 20:1 & 23:21; Is. 5:22,23 ; Is. 19:14, 24:20, 28:7, 29:9-11 & 51:17; 1 King 29:16-21,
1 Samuel 1:13, 25:36, ob 12:25, Jer. 25:15-29, Esther 1:10,11, Dan. 5:1-4, Amos 4:1

New Testament: Matt. 24:48-51, Luke 12:45 & 21:34, Acts 2:15, Romans 13:13, 1 Cor. 5:11, 6:9-10, 11:21,22, 1 Thess. 5:6,7, Gal. 5:21, and Rev. 17:6

There are many other references to indulging in mind-altering chemicals as well as addictive behaviors that lead us to poor decisions when we are "beguiled" by the world. That is to say, the anti-christ who has the number and name of a man, and who are representatives of the angel of light who is the serpent of old. So, before you decide to pick up that next night cap, or that next intoxicant, whether it be a chemical, a drug, or an enticement of this world that deceives the mind, please consider the impact you may have on history. Consider what the outcome would have been in all the events above if all the decisions were made with a clear mind and pure heart. And ask yourself with reason, logic and honesty, "What has alcohol ever given the world that has served a good purpose?" And please exclude the type of alcohol that is used for disinfectants or fuel as it is not advisable to ingest this type of chemical. What would the history of our world look like without the inflated super egoes and arrogance of an intoxicated mind? Hmmm..... just something to ponder.....and to read about.....God's Peace.....To`na Wanagi

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The sages of old were well aware of the risks involved in the overconsumption of alcohol as is well documented in the discussions contained within the Talmud. At the same time, wine has always had a place within Judaism.

Within Hebrew scripture one can find ambivalence, Proverbs 31 contains the admonition,
אַל לַמְלָכִים, לְמוֹאֵל--אַל לַמְלָכִים שְׁתוֹ-יָיִן;
וּלְרוֹזְנִים, או (אֵי) שֵׁכָר
פֶּן-יִשְׁתֶּה, וְיִשְׁכַּח מְחֻקָּק; וִישַׁנֶּה, דִּין כָּל-בְּנֵי-עֹנִי.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'
Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

And yet in that same chapter of Proverbs we read
תְּנוּ-שֵׁכָר לְאוֹבֵד; וְיַיִן, לְמָרֵי נָפֶשׁ
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul

Wine is used in Judaism in the service of spiritual growth. G-d's creation can be tools for bringing sacredness into this physical world. Jews do not abstain from wine. We seek to sanctify it at moments of spiritual potential. It is elevated to open each Jewish ritual, proudly announcing that physical objects have neutral valence.

As children of the Most High it is up to us to choose how to employ G-d's creations and write their history. How we choose to use them decides whether they are tools of corruption and sin or objects of holiness that can help us repair this world as part of our partnership with G-d in tikkun olam.

Be well, my sister.

B'shalom.

Peter

Pilamaya Tiblo', he yawaste' . (Thank you my brother, and may you be blessed.)......To`na Wanagi

[quote name='To`na Wanagi' date='Sep 9 2009, 11:34 AM' post='21921']
After the flood, Noah and his family would be responsible for replenishing the earth. Ham, the youngest son of Noah would become the father of Philistia, the Philistines or those who are today called Palestinians.
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Palestinians are the newest of all the peoples on the face of the Earth, and began to exist in a single day by a kind of supernatural phenomenon that is unique in the whole history of mankind, as it is witnessed by Walid Shoebat, a former PLO terrorist that acknowledged the lie he was fighting for and the truth he was fighting against:

“Why is it that on June 4th 1967 I was a Jordanian and overnight I became a Palestinian?”
“We did not particularly mind Jordanian rule. The teaching of the destruction of Israel was a definite part of the curriculum, but we considered ourselves Jordanian until the Jews returned to Jerusalem. Then all of the sudden we were Palestinians - they removed the star from the Jordanian flag and all at once we had a Palestinian flag”.
“When I finally realized the lies and myths I was taught, it is my duty as a righteous person to speak out”.

This declaration by a true "Palestinian" should have some significance for a sincerely neutral observer. Indeed, there is no such a thing like a Palestinian people, or a Palestinian culture, or a Palestinian language, or a Palestinian history. There has never been any Palestinian state, neither any Palestinian archaeological find nor coinage. The present-day "Palestinians" are an Arab people, with Arab culture, Arabic language and Arab history. They have their own Arab states from where they came into the Land of Israel about one century ago to contrast the Jewish immigration. That is the historical truth. They were Jordanians (another recent British invention, as there has never been any people known as "Jordanians"), and after the Six-Day War in which Israel utterly defeated the coalition of nine Arab states and took legitimate possession of Judea and Samaria, the Arab dwellers in those regions underwent a kind of anthropological miracle and discovered that they were Palestinians - something they did not know the day before. Of course, these people having a new identity had to build themselves a history, namely, had to steal some others' history, and the only way that the victims of the theft would not complain is if those victims do no longer exist. Therefore, the Palestinian leaders claimed two contradictory lineages from ancient peoples that inhabited in the Land of Israel: the Canaanites and the Philistines.

"There has never been a land known as Palestine governed by Palestinians. Palestinians are Arabs, indistinguishable from Jordanians (another recent invention), Syrians, Iraqis, etc. Keep in mind that the Arabs control 99.9 percent of the Middle East lands. Israel represents one-tenth of one percent of the landmass. But that's too much for the Arabs. They want it all. And that is ultimately what the fighting in Israel is about today... No matter how many land concessions the Israelis make, it will never be enough".

- Joseph Farah, "Myths of the Middle East" -

Let us hear what other Arabs have said:

"There is no such country as Palestine. 'Palestine' is a term the Zionists invented. There is no Palestine in the Bible. Our country was for centuries part of Syria. 'Palestine' is alien to us. It is the Zionists who introduced it".

- Auni Bey Abdul-Hadi, Syrian Arab leader to British Peel Commission, 1937 -

"There is no such thing as Palestine in history, absolutely not".

- Professor Philip Hitti, Arab historian, 1946 -

"It is common knowledge that Palestine is nothing but Southern Syria".

- Representant of Saudi Arabia at the United Nations, 1956 -

Concerning the Holy Land, the chairman of the Syrian Delegation at the Paris Peace Conference in February 1919 stated:

"The only Arab domination since the Conquest in 635 c.e. hardly lasted, as such, 22 years".

The preceding declarations by Arab politicians have been done before 1967, as they had not the slightest knowledge of the existence of any Palestinian people. How and when did they change their mind and decided that such people existed? When the State of Israel was reborn in 1948 c.e., the "Palestinians" did not exist yet, the Arabs had still not discovered that "ancient" people. They were too busy with the purpose of annihilating the new Sovereign State and did not intend to create any Palestinian entity, but only to distribute the land among the already existing Arab states. They were defeated. They attempted again to destroy Israel in 1967, and were humiliated in only six days, in which they lost the lands that they had usurped in 1948. In those 19 years of Arab occupation of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, neither Jordan nor Egypt suggested to create a "Palestinian" state, since the still non-existing Palestinians would have never claimed their alleged right to have their own state... Paradoxically, during the British Mandate, it was not any Arab group but the Jews that were known as "Palestinians"!

What other Arabs declared after the Six-Day War:

"There are no differences between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. We are all part of one nation. It is only for political reasons that we carefully underline our Palestinian identity... yes, the existence of a separate Palestinian identity serves only tactical purposes. The founding of a Palestinian state is a new tool in the continuing battle against Israel".

- Zuhair Muhsin, military commander of the PLO and member of the PLO Executive Council -

"You do not represent Palestine as much as we do. Never forget this one point: There is no such thing as a Palestinian people, there is no Palestinian entity, there is only Syria. You are an integral part of the Syrian people, Palestine is an integral part of Syria. Therefore it is we, the Syrian authorities, who are the true representatives of the Palestinian people".

- Syrian dictator Hafez Assad to the PLO leader Yassir Arafat -

"As I lived in Palestine, everyone I knew could trace their heritage back to the original country their great grandparents came from. Everyone knew their origin was not from the Canaanites, but ironically, this is the kind of stuff our education in the Middle East included. The fact is that today's Palestinians are immigrants from the surrounding nations! I grew up well knowing the history and origins of today's Palestinians as being from Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Christians from Greece, muslim Sherkas from Russia, muslims from Bosnia, and the Jordanians next door. My grandfather, who was a dignitary in Bethlehem, almost lost his life by Abdul Qader Al-Husseni (the leader of the Palestinian revolution) after being accused of selling land to Jews. He used to tell us that his village Beit Sahur (The Shepherds Fields) in Bethlehem County was empty before his father settled in the area with six other families. The town has now grown to 30,000 inhabitants".

- Walid Shoebat, an "ex-Palestinian" Arab -

source: http://www.imninalu.net/myths-pals.htm

In chapter 10 of Genesis we read about the descendents of Noah. Ham, as indicated in my previous post, became known as the father of Canaan (Gen. 10:6) Following the lineage we discover in Gen. 10:14 that Casluhim, a son of Mizraim, begat those who would be descendants of Philistim. And in vs. 15 we see that Canaan begat Sidon, his firstborn. These many and diverse people became the Canaanites whose own border is described in Gen.10: 18-20 "18....and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. 19.And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. 20.These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations."
History has proven that the Philistines themselves were a vigorous Indo-European maritime people who invaded Egypt early in the 12th century B.C. After being driven out they migrated to southwest Canaan, later extending their influence over most of the land. The name 'Philistia' means land of sojourners, the plural being Philistim which is defined as a race of Canaanites.

The next major event involving contact with these people is seen in Gen. 21:32-34 when Abraham mad a covenant with Abimilech in Beersheba where Abraham planted a grove and then in vs. 34. "And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines land many days."

In Ex. 13:17-18 God warns Moses not to take his people into "the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out o the land of Egypt." Also see Josh. 13:2, Ps.87:4 & 108:9

Now, jump to Gen. 15:13-15 where for the first time we see the name "Palestina" which is defined, 'which is covered'. They resided in the region between the Jordan River and the Dead Sea on the East and the Mediterranean on the west. As Moses sang his song to the Lord he said, "13. Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed:Thou has guided them in Thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14. The people shall hear, and be afraid:Sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15. Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling sall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away."

The prophet Isaiah wrote also of Palestine in chapter 14: 28-31. This appears to recount the Philistine revolt against the Assyrians around the year 715 B.C. We know this because in vs. 28 it makes reference to the death of King Ahaz. 28. "In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden. 29. Rejoice not thou Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: For out of the serpent's root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. 30. And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety:And I will kill thy root with famine, And he shall slay thy remnant. 31. Howl, O gate: cry, O city; Thou whole Palestina, art dissolved: For there shall come from the north a smoke, And none shall be alone in his appointed times. 32. What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of His people shall trust in it."

And throughout their history, Zion has gone through stages of obedience to Gods commandments and disobedience to His Will. As a result of their intoxication of being "God's chosen people" they have won and lost, and won and lost. Peace can only ever be realized, according to scripture, by Israel's lesson in humility as described in the 9th chapter of Isaiah and the prophesy of the coming Messiah. But His anger against them is revealed in Is. 9:8-21 with the final words of vs. 21, "And they together shall be against Judah. For all his anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still."

The idea that Palestine never existed as a nation is historically disproved not only by archaeology but also by scripture. Although the names change over time, Ham, Canaan, Philistia, Philistim, Philistine, Palestina. It is shown by direct linage from Ham, that these were indeed his descendants and also the descendants of Lot's incestuous daughters who gave birth to the Moabites and Ammonites, bitter enemies of Abraham. The intent of this topic is to show the devastation that occurred over history as a result of acts originally committed under the intoxicating effects of alcohol. It is not to argue the rights of the Jews or Arabs or to engage in a political debate. It is my desire to show the history of diverse people who came from all over the then known world to inhabit lands that would be acquired and lost as a result of disobedience and intoxication of, not only alcohol, but also the intoxicating effects of ones' own pride and ego, the desire to rule and control other nations, the urge to suppress truth and oppress people, and the exalting of oneself over others. Being mindful of this, we must use extreme caution in allying ourselves to one side or the other. As the violence of all these people still exists today, as in ancient times, we must strive to seek alternatives to war. We must seek alternatives to the lusts we carry in our hearts. We must seek the lessons of history and where it all went wrong so we never make the same mistakes again. We must allow others to live in their own cultures, religions, and political systems so long as it does not harm us. We must not become intoxicated with ourselves or we will be disobedient to whatever God we claim to serve......God's Love and Peace....To`na Wanagi

That was interesting To 'na and while I do not disagree with your cautions regarding intoxication, I would like to discuss further the ideas regarding drink and behavior.

I had a father who was an alcoholic. He was also mean and selfish. He beat his wife and children, abused his daughters, ran with other women. He tried in my adulthood to hold alcohol responsible. Not with any real contrition to the acts, however. Seemed to me he was just looking for a scapegoat. He may no longer drink but he is still a mean and selfish bigot, imo.
I have also known a few people who drank excessively, which perhaps caused them to have less in life, but who would give the shirt off their back to a stranger. There's an expression, "GOD loves a drunk" it didn't come from the bible but it may be a truism. I know a woman who was drunk and passed out when a propane explosion blew up her house. She was blown completely out of the building which was flattened, but she was unharmed.

I used to drink until I was sick from drink. In fact it made me so sick, I didn't do it often. Seems like over-indulgence is the problem, not the drinking. Last night I drank a beer. Left to me alone a 6 pack would last a long time. I'm not addicted to drink, but I like wine with some foods, an occassional margarita, a beer. I have friends who are fond of the taste of bourbon, or scotch. Some of my friends do not drink at all, while some are functional alcoholics. I also know some dysfunctional alcoholics who struggle with a lifetime of poor decisions, not always related to drinking.

It appears to me that alcohol is a potential toxin for everyone, but some people are more susceptible to the effects and then crave it, and become unable to stop after one drink. It's odd the way the human body seems keyed to want the very things that are the worst for it. We become addicted to our poisons. I have wondered if there was more toxicity from alcohol to people of Native American descent. What do you think from your perspective?

Seems like there were places where intoxicants were used in the bible that disaster did not take place, or where the use of intoxicants was what worked in the favor of someone important.

I recall one time a young woman who had recently been born again arguing that the Wine Jesus made from water was "new wine" and had no fermentation. She claimed it was juice, basically. I am not convinced.

I think the Adam and Eve story, and the Cain and Abel connection was a bit of a stretch. It seems not to be the drink, in most of the references, but the drunkenness, which is the problem.

Thanks for replying. I want to discuss more, but it's a work week. I work 6 straight 12 hour night shifts. 2 down, 4 to go. I'll be back next week, hope I can catch back up!

interesting topic however i must point out that it never states that Jesus drank fermented wine at all in the Bible. it states that it was the fruit of the vine. if Jesus drank anything it was grape juice.

Hey Brother James...

If you refer to Luke 7:33-34 you will know that Jesus indeed "drank wine"...

"For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."'

I'm pretty sure that they wouldn't call a "drinker of grape juice" a drunkard.

And of course, that isn't to say I believe he was a drunkard, that was just what those jealous Pharisees called him.

Whether Jesus drank wine or not really isn't that important. There's no doctrine to be gained in either direction.

God Bless,
RevKeith