Wine is a Mocker
May 15, 2022
Commentary
No other vice has so cursed the world and caused as much misery and suffering as alcoholic beverages. The idea is that “wine” mocks the one who drinks it and “strong drink” (which would include beer) refers to drinks made from barley, and other malt type grains (v. 1). It becomes a snare that destroys the will and wrecks the life. Even great Christian leaders such as Noah and Lot have been brought to shame and grief by its use. An angry ruler is like a roaring lion. You make either one angry, and you are dead (v. 2). The warning is to not make a king angry! He might order your death. Sometimes people (and even kings) will oppose us, because we are Christians.
Avoiding strife with fellow men is honorable (v. 3). A person who is truly confident of his or her strength does not need to prove it. Arguments can be avoided by overlooking insults and by dropping issues that are not that important anyway. A person of God needs to be ready to yield his rights for the sake of peace. It is only a fool who will persist in contention. If you are too lazy to plow, don’t expect a harvest (v. 4). You no doubt have heard similar warnings, like if you don’t study you will fail the test, if you don’t save, you won’t have money when you need it etc. In other words He provides for us but He also expects us to be responsible. Only a wise man can get water from a deep well. So only a wise man can understand another person’s thoughts. (v. 5). Often a friend does not want to talk. He does not want to explain his problems. A wise person will speak gently to his friend. The wise person will encourage his friend to explain the problem.
Application
I want to surrender all of my rights to the Lord so I can be used fully by Him.
Proverbs 20:1– 5 (NET)
1 Wine is a mocker and strong drink is a brawler; whoever goes astray by them is not wise.
2 The king’s terrifying anger is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him sins against himself.
3 It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.
4 The sluggard will not plow during the planting season, so at harvest time he asks for grain but has nothing.
5 Counsel in a person’s heart is like deep water, but an understanding person draws it out.
Illustration: Honest in Money but Not in Morality
A fellow went into a fried chicken franchise to get some chicken for himself and the young lady he was with. By mistake the manager handed him a box full of money (that day’s financial proceeds meant for the bank) instead of a box of chicken. The fellow took the box back to the car where they discovered the money. Realizing the mistake, they went back into the restaurant to return the money. The manager was so pleased that he told the young man he intended to call the newspaper and have them take their picture. “You’re the most honest guy in town.” “Oh no, don’t do that!” the fellow said. “Why not?” asked the manager. “Well,” he said, “you see, I’m married, and the woman I’m with is not my wife!” (Dallas Times Herald, September 23, 1966).