Things a Beer Can’t Fix

It would be helpful to read first, “Can a Beer Fix It?” (see the front page). Other things can be substituted for a beer. When people are depressed, they might say, “I think I’ll watch a few episodes of my favorite TV show,” or, “I’m going to play my favorite video game for a few hours,” which makes one wonder, “What did people do before the age of electronics?” Some might choose to head out to the golf course or to the bowling alley. For some, it might be getting lost in a good book.

The point is that all these means of escapism do not provide meaningful solutions to problems that people face. They may postpone them for a few hours or days, but that’s all the value they have. If one is lucky, his subconscious might think of something worthwhile while he is engaged in another activity, but this cannot be counted on. A few incidents come to mind from the Bible, in which fleshly solutions would not have changed physical outcomes.

The Flood

No one needs to read too far into the Holy Book before coming across an event of worldwide destruction called, “The Flood.” The entire world was covered with water, and the only survivors were inside the ark that Noah built. Noah had forewarned the people that the day would come when God would send copious amounts of rain on the earth. He was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). Therefore, the people heard the message; they just did not believe it—until maybe it started to pour.

Did they have beer in those days? Perhaps not, but they probably had something they enjoyed quaffing down—whether it was alcoholic or not. They had rejected Noah’s message of safety and comfort (dare we say, salvation?). Although it is beginning to look as though Noah might be right, perverse hearts would not have wanted to admit it. The windows of heaven being opened might have prevented travel or further taunting of those in the ark, but if it were still possible, on the second or third day, we can envision many setting up a tent across from the ark.

“Hey, Noah! Got enough elbow room on that thing? You all are invited to come over to our party to have a drink. Afterward, maybe you could take us on a tour of your big box. What do you say?” Later, as they are washed away, maybe one person would confess, “I don’t think a beer is going to fix this.”

The reason, of course, is that physical consumption of a beverage cannot cure a spiritual problem: “…the wickedness of man was great in the earth” (Gen. 6:5). Even every intent of the thoughts of these humans’ heart was only evil continually. The earth was also corrupt and filled with violence (Gen. 6:11). Disobedience can only be “fixed” by repentance.

Sodom and Gomorrah

Now we come to an era where intoxicating drinks were available. We know that to be so because both of Lot’s daughters got their father drunk on wine in order to lay with him and become pregnant. Wine and incest were linked together to produce two nations that constantly were a snare to Israel.

The people of Sodom had no warning concerning their punishment. They had been captured previously in battle and rescued by Abraham, but that “scare” did not seem to produce any measure of repentance in them. They all practiced homosexuality and would force themselves on strangers (Gen. 19:4-5). Neither beer nor wine could fix what was wrong with the hearts of these corrupt cities. They continue to serve “as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7).

The Loss of Loved Ones

Alcohol serves as no comfort whatsoever in the loss of a loved one. Jacob, for example, was convinced that his favorite son, Joseph, had been torn by wild beasts (Gen 37:33). He did not think of drowning his sorrows in drink, nor did his sons suggest it to him. They knew better. Jacob lamented, “For I shall go down into the grave of my son in mourning” (v. 35).

How would getting drunk have helped anything? The situation would not change. After one returns to sobriety, the loss is still there. Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah did not sit around getting smashed each evening and groaning that they were bereft of their menfolk. Would that have restored even one of the males? Alcohol does not fix things. Formulating a plan and then following it did some good.

When David’s son was ill, the king did not resort to wine or strong drink. He fasted and prayed to the only One Who could fix things—Jehovah. Although God did have the power to heal the infant, He chose not to in this instance—probably because He did not want a child of adultery on the throne or in the genealogy of Christ.

But God does have power over life and death. Because of Elijah, He restored life to a widow’s son. Because of Elisha’s request, He restored the son of a Shunammite woman. Jesus returned Lazarus’ life to him after four days. Whose life has alcohol brought back?

The death of loved ones occurs throughout our lives. Eventually, we are going to lose our parents. Brothers and sisters will depart from our lives unless we go first. Many have sadly had to endure the loss of children—and others the loss of a mate. These comprise difficult, if not excruciating, times for all involved. Those in the world may well resort to inebriation at such times, but one thing is certain: beer is not going to fix it.

Nineveh

The Assyrians were a bloodthirsty nation—especially when it came to conquering their foes. God sent Jonah to preach against them. “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). Jonah knew what they were like—and what they would do to God’s people. So he tried to run in the opposite direction because he didn’t want them to repent or be forgiven: “Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish: for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm” (Jonah 4:2).

Nineveh’s thorough repentance, from the greatest to the least of them, caused God to spare them from destruction at this time. So, did they all sit around, celebrating their escape from retribution with a drink? That’s the way it is on television. Whenever something good happens, all gather around a table and drink (usually wine) to celebrate the good news of the occasion. Ironically, when someone hears bad news, he comes in, pours himself a libation, and says, “I need a drink!” So, whether the news is good or bad, it calls for alcohol.

No, there is no evidence that the people of Nineveh washed down the good news of their deliverance with all the wine barrel reserves in the city. When tragedy strikes, people go to God in prayer, and when they are delivered, they thank Him. This is a much better system than resorting to C2H6O (alcohol), which is physical only, lacking in compassion or the ability to help.

Dorcas

When Tabitha (Dorcas) died, because Peter was close by, Christian ladies sent for him. He honored their request and traveled to Joppa. The two men who returned with Peter did not say, “The women will be gathered at the local pub, enjoying a pint.” One reason they did not use those words is that they were not British and living in the 20th century. But neither did they say that the women could be found at the inn, drowning their sorrows. Of course, they knew that wine could not restore their companion back to life.

But they knew that Peter could. The men took Peter to an upper room, where they were weeping. They showed him the garments which she had made. Peter had them leave the room, after which he knelt down and prayed. “Tabitha, arise,” were the words he spoke, and she opened her eyes. She sat up; then Peter took her by the hand and lifted her up. He presented her alive to “the saints and widows” (Acts 9:41). They did not rejoice by then going to a sports bar, but they spread the word about the miracle that had occurred.

Intoxication

Oddly enough, not much good is associated with drinking. As already mentioned, Lot fathered children by both of his daughters while drunk. Elah, who had ruled Israel for two years. was “drinking himself drunk” when Zimri struck him and killed him (1 Kings 16:9-10). He lost both his life and his kingdom. Ben-Hadad was so confident in the strength of his armies that he and “the thirty-two kings helping him were getting drunk at the command post” (1 Kings 20:16)—at noon! They lost the ensuing battle.

Is there anything good that results from drinking wine or strong drink? Do men become better husbands and fathers because they drink alcoholic beverages? Do they become better wives and mothers? Do cocktails make a man a better airline pilot? Oh, that’s right. They would lose their jobs if they drank. Have astronauts ever celebrated their landing on the moon with vodka? Did they imbibe wine to try to fix what was wrong with Apollo 13? The answer to all these questions, and more, is, “No.” And the reason is that the first thing alcohol does is to affect the brain in a negative way. The more alcohol is consumed, the worse one’s behavior gets.

The Day of Judgment

The Bible teaches us that a day is coming when every human being will be judged by the words of Jesus (John 12:48). Our Lord taught that the majority of people seek the broad path that leads to destruction and only a few enter the narrow gate that leads to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14). None of the descriptions of hell are appealing. It's hard for many folks to do without air conditioning, let alone experience the lake of fire and brimstone eternally (Rev. 20:10). Surely being cast into the outer darkness, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth, does not sound appetizing.

And then there is the absence of God’s presence. On earth, one hears of various places where he would not want to move. There may be only a few churches, but many taverns and strip joints. Some are like Memphis and New Orleans, U. S. cities with the highest murder rate. In fact, 76% of the murders in Memphis remain unsolved. The point is: Who wants to move to an area where gangs roam the streets and the odds of being killed are high? So, why would anyone want to be where God is not? Souls there are unkind, uncourteous, and no one encourages anyone else to have a blessed day.

Many people have concocted their view of hell from sources outside the Bible. They view it as a party place where they can discuss the good old days with friends. Yes, they will be telling jokes (especially off-colored ones), smoking cigarettes, and drinking until they drop. They make the same mistake that Christian materialists make when they imagine themselves to be hunting, fishing, or golfing on the earth—that we will be in a physical or quasi-physical place.

The same fire that would light a cigarette would leave it in ashes in a second or two (consider the sacrifice Elijah elicited in 1 Kings 18). Alcohol evaporates at 172 degrees Fahrenheit. No booze can survive to commiserate with. A spiritual problem can only be dealt with in a spiritual manner. Now is the time to repent and be obedient to the will of God.