Drinking and War

Thursday, October 30, 2008 -- Week of Proper 25

Today's Reading for the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer, p. 991)
Psalms 50 (morning) [59, 60] or 103 (evening)
Ecclesiasticus* 31:12-18, 25 - 32:2
Revelation 12:7-17
Luke 11:53 - 12:12

* found in the Apocrypha; also called the Wisdom of Jesus Son of Sirach, or just Sirach

The passage in Ecclesiasticus is probably an elder's advice for appropriate behavior at an Hellenistic symposium (from the Greek word meaning "to drink together"). The symposium banquet was a forum for men to debate, plot, boast or simply to party with others. There were often entertainments, games and rhetorical contests. Wine was served mixed with varying portions of water. Ben Sira advises moderation in food, deportment and drinking in this section of his Wisdom.

"What is life to one who is without wine?" he asks rhetorically. "It has been created to make people happy. Wine drunk at the proper time and in moderation is rejoicing of heart and gladness of soul. Wine drunk to excess leads to bitterness of spirit, to quarrels and stumbling."

There is a fragment from a lost play by the Greek Euboulos in which the god Dionysos gives instruction about drinking at a symposium. (A krater is the large jar from which servants would draw pitchers of wine.) "For sensible men I prepare only three kraters: one for health (which they drink first), the second for love and pleasure, and the third for sleep. After the third one is drained, wise men go home. The fourth krater is not mine any more - it belongs to bad behaviour; the fifth is for shouting; the sixth is for rudeness and insults; the seventh is for fights; the eighth is for breaking the furniture; the ninth is for depression; the tenth is for madness and unconsciousness."
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Some notes about Revelation 12.

We see the war in heaven. Michael is a symbol for Israel, a prince and protector of God's people. (Not unlike St. George for England.) Michael leads his angelic army which defeats the dragon, now identified as "the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world." Expelled from heaven, they now torment earth.

But note the "military tactics" that achieved the heavenly victory. "They have conquered the dragon by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony ("martus"), for they did not cling to life even in the face of death." Again, the only blood that is shed is the blood of the Lamb. The only weapons used are the weapons of their "testimony." The word is "martus", meaning "witness" or "testimony," from which we get the word "martyr." The victory is a victory of the Word not of weapons of violence and force.

The Book of Revelation is much more pacifist than its reputation. The divine victory is achieved through martyrdom -- the witness of God's faithful people living in imitation of the triumphant witness of Jesus the Lamb that was slain. By his blood evil is defeated and we are saved.

Then we see a story of the mythological woman (Israel, Eve, Mary) and the dragon's futile attempts to capture her and her child. In Exodus God describes the divine deliverance of Israel from the Egyptian Empire into the wilderness: "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself." (19:4) Confronted with the Red/Reed Sea, the waters parted and they escaped. In similar imagery the woman of Revelation escapes. She and her child are safe. The dragon leaves to make life miserable for "those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus."

I sometimes visit with people who have grown up in churches where they were taught two things in particular. Drinking is a sin, and the Book of Revelation tells about an approaching violent apocalyptic end where God will destroy the earth, kill all who do not believe in Jesus and cast them into hell. That's not what the Bible says.

Lowell

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About Morning Reflections
Morning Reflections is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

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The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Visit our web site at www.stpaulsfay.org

Our Rule of Life

We aspire to...
worship weekly
pray daily
learn constantly
serve joyfully
live generously.

Lowell Grisham, Rector

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas