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T would be easy enough to harp on the last seven verses of
this chapter. And truly, the woes of
alcohol abuse are clearly depicted in those verses. Additionally, if we are interested in
decrying the dangers of imbibing, Proverbs 23:20 & 21 add even more fuel to
that fire. But notice the rest of verses
20 & 21. Not surprisingly, there is
another sin that is coupled with drunkenness. It is that slightly less obvious vice known (in
the Scripture) as gluttony. Notice also
that this chapter begins by addressing ill-advised eating habits. While nine verses are given to forbidding
drunkenness, eight verses in this same chapter address the dangers of edible
temptations.
Why, you might ask, would I choose to emphasize gluttony
here? I certainly have no desire or
reason to soften God's injunctions against drunkenness. However, I don't personally ever recall being
strongly tempted by alcohol. On the
other hand, I'm frequently tempted with food, especially chocolate. (I have to wonder if the tree of the knowledge
of good and evil had chocolate on it?)
We tend to smile, laugh and crack jokes when speaking of
gluttony in a religious context. But be
assured, with God, it is no joke.
Numbers 11:32 & 33 show both the evil that is behind gluttony as
well as God's serious disgust at our indulgences. Besides that, 1st Corinthians
10:31 reminds us that we are to glorify God even with our eating. And no surprise either, what did Christ do
before meals? What are we taught to do
before eating? We are supposed to
express our gratitude and ask for God’s blessings upon our food and our
consumption of it.
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