I've been doing more introspection now that school is in session, and the title of this post comes from Deuteronomy 29, specifically from verse 19, where the KJV reads "...and it come to pass, when he [an idol-worshipper] heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself, saying 'I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart'--to add drunkenness to thirst."
My twenty-first birthday has come and gone last month, but Fall quarter final exams are now upon me, so consider this post my belated birthday rant. This post is late because, you know, all the partying and alcohol and stuff have retarded my productivity.
Let Deuteronomy 29:13 be a warning to covenant breakers specifically. The curses (and blessings!) of the closing chapters of Deuteronomy aren't to be read as specific cause-effect rewards for a man's obedience/disobedience to the law of God. Don't go running around threatening people for homosexuality or idol-worship or witchcraft. America, shockingly, isn't an ancient country abounding with Hebrew blood. These covenant sanctions were firstly aimed at God's covenant people, namely: the children of Israel, the political and geographically demarcated slab of land east of the Mediterranean, filled with the descendants of Abraham. Secondly, these blessings and curses are grafted to the Gentiles of the "new covenant," seeing as Jesus raised up from the stony hearts of men true sons of Abraham, born unto good works of the kingdom of God. Thirdly, they are useful words for the Christian everyman, seeing as there is only one God, the living and unchanging God, whose justice cannot ever grade on a curve.
This verse also reminds me of one of my new-found favorite songs-- David Ramirez's "Fire of Time." He sings as a struggling Christian man, who cries that he has "been loyal to the wants of my lustful heart and unfaithful to my friend, Love." Regardless of his infidelity, Christ the Faithful and True gives condescending grace that remedies the singer's spiritual amnesia: "when it's hard for me to recall my name, You remind me."
You see, drunkenness is a great way to describe the effects of wanton and intentional sin. I've never drank enough to become drunk myself, but the Bible capitalizes on this metaphor. Or perhaps the metaphor exists this way because of the masterful sovereignty and humor of God? Regardless, here's a short meditation on sin --> drunkenness.
1. Sin, like drunkenness, is a sinful sort of desire.
Proverbs 21:17, 23:29-35.
2. Sin, like drunkenness, leads to violence and oblivion.
Proverbs 4:17, 31:6-7, 23:29,35
3. Sin, like drunkenness, is foolishness.
Proverbs 20:1, 23:29, Eccl. 2:3
4. Sin, like drunkenness, bankrupts the soul. (And perhaps the wallet, too!)
Proverbs 23:20-21
5. Sin, like drunkenness, taints your judgment & brings judgment upon your spirit.
Proverbs 31:4-6, Isaiah 5:20-23, Proverbs 23:32, all the prophets, 1 Cor. 6:10, etc.; the fateful "cup" of Christ, the cup of Redemption, the cup of the new covenant.
I'm going to flesh out these five categories tomorrow after watching Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone with Ariana. Or, if not then, perhaps after finals, or after Christmas, or during the Phoenix trip (depending on how bored I get with chaperoning...), or... next year? Bah.
My twenty-first birthday has come and gone last month, but Fall quarter final exams are now upon me, so consider this post my belated birthday rant. This post is late because, you know, all the partying and alcohol and stuff have retarded my productivity.
Let Deuteronomy 29:13 be a warning to covenant breakers specifically. The curses (and blessings!) of the closing chapters of Deuteronomy aren't to be read as specific cause-effect rewards for a man's obedience/disobedience to the law of God. Don't go running around threatening people for homosexuality or idol-worship or witchcraft. America, shockingly, isn't an ancient country abounding with Hebrew blood. These covenant sanctions were firstly aimed at God's covenant people, namely: the children of Israel, the political and geographically demarcated slab of land east of the Mediterranean, filled with the descendants of Abraham. Secondly, these blessings and curses are grafted to the Gentiles of the "new covenant," seeing as Jesus raised up from the stony hearts of men true sons of Abraham, born unto good works of the kingdom of God. Thirdly, they are useful words for the Christian everyman, seeing as there is only one God, the living and unchanging God, whose justice cannot ever grade on a curve.
This verse also reminds me of one of my new-found favorite songs-- David Ramirez's "Fire of Time." He sings as a struggling Christian man, who cries that he has "been loyal to the wants of my lustful heart and unfaithful to my friend, Love." Regardless of his infidelity, Christ the Faithful and True gives condescending grace that remedies the singer's spiritual amnesia: "when it's hard for me to recall my name, You remind me."
You see, drunkenness is a great way to describe the effects of wanton and intentional sin. I've never drank enough to become drunk myself, but the Bible capitalizes on this metaphor. Or perhaps the metaphor exists this way because of the masterful sovereignty and humor of God? Regardless, here's a short meditation on sin --> drunkenness.
1. Sin, like drunkenness, is a sinful sort of desire.
Proverbs 21:17, 23:29-35.
2. Sin, like drunkenness, leads to violence and oblivion.
Proverbs 4:17, 31:6-7, 23:29,35
3. Sin, like drunkenness, is foolishness.
Proverbs 20:1, 23:29, Eccl. 2:3
4. Sin, like drunkenness, bankrupts the soul. (And perhaps the wallet, too!)
Proverbs 23:20-21
5. Sin, like drunkenness, taints your judgment & brings judgment upon your spirit.
Proverbs 31:4-6, Isaiah 5:20-23, Proverbs 23:32, all the prophets, 1 Cor. 6:10, etc.; the fateful "cup" of Christ, the cup of Redemption, the cup of the new covenant.
I'm going to flesh out these five categories tomorrow after watching Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone with Ariana. Or, if not then, perhaps after finals, or after Christmas, or during the Phoenix trip (depending on how bored I get with chaperoning...), or... next year? Bah.
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