Wine - Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 25:6

Seek God Together

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether

Today we will read Psalm 75:8 and Isaiah 25:6. They say, “For there is a cup in the Lord’s hand full of wine blended with spices, and He pours from it. All the wicked of the earth will drink, Draining it to the dregs.”

And Isaiah 25:6, “The Lord of Hosts will prepare a feast for all the peoples on this mountain a feast of aged wine, choice meat, finely aged wine.”

Wine is a complex subject in scripture. Of course wine is a naturally occurring process when you leave fruit out in the sun. Biblically though, wine is used for everything from joyful celebration to condemnation. There are numerous warnings against over-consumption. Jesus first miracle was turning water into wine to keep the party going. He also referred to his own blood as wine. Some abstained while others drank. Wine is complex.

And more, God offers wine. In the first passage we see God holding a cup of spiced wine. Think sangria or mulled wine at the holidays. It’s sweet. But it’s poured out on the wicked who drink every last drop. Strange way to punish the wicked.

In the next passage in Isaiah, we see the menu for God’s feast He’ll throw for His people. There’s no shortage of wine there and not the cheap stuff. And it’s not just that it’s aged wine, no, it’s “finely” aged wine. This is wine prepared with skill - the art of winemaking. God is giving us the good stuff.

Both of these wines come from God. It’s sobering (if you pardon the pun) that God is either the source of our destruction or our feasting. That may be alarming, but should it be surprising? God is the source of all. How we experience God then is serious business. The real issue then isn’t wine but God, and you.

On one hand there is the wicked: blind consumers not just of wine, but of everything, ignorant of Who or where it comes from. They consume from a distance and do so until they are no more. On the other hand, there’s the people of God on the mountain of God. They are those who, we can assume, have chosen to be on the mountain, to be close to God, to be in His community. They experience a fine feast in the Presence of God. One is close and one is far. I suppose the simple question for you today is, which one do you want to be?

“God I want to experience You and all You have to offer.”