The Six-fold Woes: Woe # 6

 

 

Isa 5:22 Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, 23 Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away justice from the righteous man!

 

This is the second time in the list of six woes that excessive drinking makes the list. Hmmmm, do you think God is trying to tell us something here? There is a subtle difference between the two mentions. In the first case it is woe to those who live to drink and party, and in this case it’s woe to those who are what I call “two-fisted drinkers.”

 

Those of us who have come out of the lifestyle of partying know these people well. They have quite a reputation for being able to “chug” their drinks and are usually quite boisterous. Their claim to fame, is their valor in being able to hoist more than a few and put them down quickly.  Woe to them if they don’t change their ways! 

To such people, I pray that one day you will wake up with a massive hangover and see the futility of this lifestyle, and turn to Jesus. He will lead you in the true way of being a mighty and valiant man!

 

This final woe also includes those whose eyes for justice are closed through the use of bribes. Let’s call it “hush money.” It most often is associated with politics. Legislation is passed, court verdicts are reached through the influence of lobbying groups, rather than the influence of biblical right and wrong.

 

But beware, this same kind of thing can happen in congregations where the temptation is to hush the truth of pointing out sin if it threatens to ruffle the feathers of the ones who line the offering plate.

Pr 17:15 reminds us: “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.”

 Still another biblical example is found in  Jas 2:2-4, “For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?”

Father God, raise up might men of valor in the church today. Not boisterous men, but people who valiantly stand for Your truth, Your justice, and Your righteousness!