This is the first "gem" based on my collection of Sunday School Lesson Cards (it is the one pictured at the top left of my blog). In the picture, a great flood of water is rushing through the Northern Kingdom of Israel and destroying it the way God destroyed Pharoah's troops with the Red Sea. According to the children's lesson, this is because the men of Israel had been drinking too much wine. There's even a catchy verse to emphasize the point,
"Eyes keep clear, feet go right
by drinking water fresh and bright.
Hands keep strong, hearts keep true
when old and young God's bidding do."
This is a simplified meaning of temperance and of the passage itself. Apparently, drunkenness was a big problem in both the Northern and Southern kingdoms -- but Isaiah was using the imagery of a drunk to illustrate how the people were throwing away the blessings of God and becoming foolishly self-absorbed. The flood was another use of imagery. Isaiah warned of impending doom, not from a wall of water, but from the Assyrian army which would attack like a flood and desecrate the beautiful valley of Samaria. The Priests and Prophets ridiculed Isaiah for his warnings and failed to see their need for repentance. Ultimately, God is not mocked, and both Northern and Southern kingdoms would suffer for their disobedience.
So, what is the world's temperance lesson? I think the it has less to do with wine, and more to do with what guides your heart. Like it says in Ephesians 5:18 -- "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life" (a noble thought). And, "instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you" (an even nobler thought).
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