“He brought me into the house of wine.”

(Song of Solomon 2:4, NWT 1984)

Christian parents are given the advice: “Discuss with your teenager the fine Bible example of the beautiful young Shulammite maiden.” (Awake!, February 22, 1992, page 10) Her “dear one” brought her “into the house of wine” – and for sure they have not only watched the wine jugs there. Anyway, after some time the Shulammite said to her shepherd lover: “My breasts are like Watchtowers … I surrender myself to my beloved.” – Song of Solomon 8:10, Hoffnung für Alle.

We do not know how thoroughly the shepherd “studied the Watchtower.” (The Watchtower, December 1, 2006, page 14) But in any case, young people of today should imitate the Shulammite and her lover by going to the places where “consumption of alcohol is at its highest.” (Awake!, March 8, 1986, page 3) This will help them ‘not to rely on their own understanding’ according to the Biblical advice. – Proverbs 3:5.

When should children start drinking alcohol? The Shulammite’s boyfriend had begun at tender age. He remembered his early childhood and told: “I have drunk my wine along with my milk.” (Song of Solomon 5:1, NWT 1984) Thus Jehovah advises all Christian parents: “Buy wine and milk.” (Isaiah 55:1) Anyone who does not drink wine is not a true Christian; after all, Jesus commanded his disciples even to “keep” drinking. (1 Timothy 5:23; 1 Corinthians 11:24) And “no age is too early to begin.” – The Watchtower, July 1, 1971, page 395.

“Out of the heart’s abundance his mouth speaks.”

(Luke 6:45)

As Christians we must ‘guard what we feed our mind.’ (Awake!, June 22, 1984, page 5) When we need to decide whether a topic is worth pondering or not, we should follow Jesus Christ’s example. How did he feed his mind? We can learn this from his statements, for “what we usually talk about is a good indication of what our heart is set on.” – The Watchtower, October 15, 2001, page 23.

What did Jesus “usually talk about?” One of his favorite topics was wine; he talked about wineskins, vine dressers, vineyards, and a winepress. (Matthew 9:17; 20:1; 21:28, 33; 26:29; Luke 10:34; 13:6) “Jesus often drank wine” and told his disciples: “I am the true vine … I am the vine.” – The Watchtower, December 15, 1996, page 25; John 1:1, 5.

Are alcoholic beverages taking the first place in your life, too? If not, “it may be time to think seriously about the use of alcohol in your home.” (Awake!, February 8, 1975, page 18) As Christians we must “imitate the perfect example of Jesus Christ” and develop “a godly view of alcoholic beverages.” – The Watchtower, July 1, 1977, page 407; December 15, 1996, page 25.

Jesus did not only talk about wine though. Harlots, fornication, and virgins also played a major role in his stories. (Matthew 5:32; 19:9; 21:31, 32; 25:1; Luke 15:30) We should imitate him in this regard too. We must avoid being distracted by unimportant issues. A young Christian remembered: “I couldn’t concentrate on sex as long as I was concentrating on something else.” (Awake!, July 22, 1993, page 22) Whether we go for wine, virgins, or harlots – all Christians should heed the counsel: “Always look to the example and teachings of Jesus Christ, and do your best to imitate him.” – The Watchtower, June 15, 1976, page 380.

“You have been weighed on a scale and found to be too light.”

(Daniel 5:27, GWT)

“Belshazzar … made a great bread” and “was drinking wine.” (Daniel 5:1, NWT 1984, Fn.) As a result he suffered from short weight, and he was “weighed on a scale and found to be too light.” (Daniel 5:27)  All Christians struggling with obesity can follow his example and live on nothing but bread and wine. Jesus did that too, indicating that he also was overweight. – Matthew 26:26, 27.

“Drink and get drunk!”

(Jeremiah 25:27)

“Wine that makes God and men rejoice” is “a gift from God.” (Judges 9:13; The Watchtower, February 2011, page 29) Hence it is beyond dispute that Christians are allowed to drink alcohol – it is even a direct Biblical command. (1 Timothy 5:23) Certain persons, however, say that Christians must be moderate in drinking; they even claim that it would be “against God’s law to get drunk.” (You Can Live Forever in Paradise on Earth, page 130) There are even magazines saying that “Christians … must avoid getting drunk.” (The Watchtower, April 15, 1985, page 19) Does the Bible support such an attitude?

Obviously not. “Noah was a righteous man. He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the true God.” (Genesis 1:9) Later “Noah … planted a vineyard. When he drank of the wine, he became intoxicated.” (Genesis 9:20, 21) God did not reproach him for getting drunk; rather he cursed those who had mocked Noah. – Genesis 9:24.

After this, the prophet Jeremiah became “like a man who is drunk … because of Jehovah and because of his holy words,” and he prompted all nations: “Drink and get drunk!” (Jeremiah 23:9; 25:27) Later the prophet Haggai told the Israelites in the name of Jehovah: “There is a drinking, but not to the point of getting intoxicated” – this was not a compliment but should illustrate their miserable condition. (Haggai 1:6, NWT 1984) “Getting intoxicated” would have been a proof of Jehovah’s blessing.

Getting intoxicated was common in the early Christian congregation. The apostle Paul said regarding the evening meal: “Some go hungry while others get drunk.” (1 Corinthians 11:21, NLT) True Christians of our day must follow this example and also get drunk. But “one may [drink and still] not be getting drunk … and here is the big danger for Christians.” – The Watchtower, February 1, 1973, page 71.

“Beware … of Kings that drink wine.”

(Proverbs 31:4, ABPE)

The Bible contains the wise words of the mother of King Lemuel (maybe another name for Solomon). She advised her son and all other kings: “It is not for kings to drink wine … so that they do not drink and forget what is decreed.” (Proverbs 31:4, 5) A religious magazine explained on that verse: “How is a king to render sound and clear-headed judgment … if he is … intoxicated? … On the contrary, by remaining free from such vices, the king will be able to ‘judge righteously.’” (The Watchtower, February 1, 2000, page 30) Definitely “it is not for kings … to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.” – Proverbs 31:4, NLT.

“God’s appointed King, Jesus Christ,” is said to assume power over the earth soon (Awake!, July 2011, page 8) Will he follow the wise counsel of his prophetic type? No. Like in many other matters, he will flout God’s will regarding alcohol. He told his disciples: “I won’t drink … wine again until that day when I drink new wine with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29, GWT) Hence in short time, when “Jesus and his fellow kings rule from heaven,” they will be drunk obviously. (The Watchtower, April 1, 2009, page 8) Under the influence of alcohol, the “true vine” Jesus Christ and the anointed kings will “forget what is decreed.” – John 15:1.