Opus 2020-034: Heroes and Valiant Men

This morning in my worship time this verse caught my attention,

(Isa 5:22 NAS77) Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing strong drink;

I thought of our culture of drunks.  We might not admit it but we laugh at a lot of drunk jokes.  As I look through different internet sites I often come across guys who are bragging about how much they drink or how real men can put it away.  I have been around the guys and they all think that getting rip, roaring drunk is the sign of a great time.  They are heroes and valiant men by this measure.

I accept that alcohol might have a place.  It is common in all cultures.  The wine snobs are almost as obnoxious as the coffee snobs.  It is also one of the greatest sources of evil and destruction. 

One of the changes we need to see in America involves the casual drinking that goes on.  At best it is a temporary sedative.  More often it is a subtle poison.

Of course I offer these words of wisdom as someone who does not drink.  Consider the source.  You might also consider what the prophet Isaiah had to say.

homo unius libri

Opus 2014-185: A New Super Hero

As I was looking at cross references in a study I came across the following verse.

(Isaiah 5:22 NAS77)  Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine, And valiant men in mixing strong drink;

I will never be a hero in drinking wine.  I can’t stand the taste and have issues with drunkenness.  It isn’t in my resume.

But maybe you are competing for heroship.  There are not enough damsels in distress to go around.  You don’t want the discipline of being a marine.  The dragons are dead or hiding.  I guess you can always try to be a hero of the vine.  You can be valiant in mixing your drinks.

Sounds like being a bar-tender to me.  I still like the terms “hero of drinking wine” and “valiant man of mixing strong drinks.”  Maybe they could start a comic book series.

Either way the warning is “Woe!”

homo unius libri