WHEN EVEN PRIESTS GET INTOXICATED “But they also have erred through wine, and through intoxicating drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, they are swallowed up by wine, they are out of the way through intoxicating drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filth; No place is clean.” (Isaiah 28:7-8). If this were said of some other kinds of people, it may not pose any surprise. But when you hear of PRIESTS, custodian of God’s laws, teachers of Israel and leaders of the people engaging in intoxicating drink, it is the greatest aberration ever. And what is the result of their drunkenness – ERRING in VISION and STUMBLING IN JUDGEMENT. No wonder, Proverbs 31:4-6 says, “It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted. Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter of heart.” I have heard of pastors and some ministers of the gospel given to wine and strong drink but the reality never dawned on me until I was hosted by someone on one occasion we went for a convention program. This host was not from my denomination and I won’t bother to mention his denomination. It happened that my wife and I returned from one of the sessions and as we got home, we met our host and his pastor with bottles and cups of hot gin right before them. Our host gladly introduced his pastor to us and they enjoyed their time together. For us it was a great embarrassment as we receded into our rooms for the night. Whatever happens, God expects a higher standard of living from leaders, especially spiritual leaders. Once we do what sinners and unsaved church members do, we cannot preach against it. There is only one thing God expects from us as pastors and ministers of the gospel, and that is what Paul said in Ephesians 5:18-20, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ .”
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 06:13:49 +0000
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