Henderson daily dispatch., 1943-10-29

pray thee, and drink no wine non
strong drink.")
Inc first incident in our lesson ON
Bible teachings on abstinence we
VIII remember from previous les
son earlier in the year.
IL IS recorded in Leviticus and
cakes US back 10 the Hebrews advcn-
-ureS IN the wilderness before they
arrived at the promised land. Aaron
ana two of his sons, Nadab and
Ahlhu, priests, were in the taber-
nacle. A fire had come out from be-
lore the Lord and consumed the sac
''ilicc upon the altar.
For some unknown reason these
TWO sons OF AarOn's each took cen-
ser, pun fire therein, and incense
thereon, and offered this strange fire
before the Lord, which He command
ID them not. The wrath of the Lord
was kindlcd, and fire came ana DC
voured them, and they died Dcior,
The Lord"
Shortly after this terrible happen
ing, the Lord told Aaron. DO not
drink wine nor strong drink. thou,
nor thy SONS with thee. when We 90
INTO the tabernacle If The Cungl c.u-
lion, lest yc die Some cummcnta-
Tors think Nadab ana Adihu may
nave been drunk when they offered
thIS strange lire to the Lord in this
IncHpllcablc way. No minister or
priest should indulge in strong Ii
quors. How can they preach the
Word of God and set an example to
those who listen TO them if they are
Seli-indulgent? Tho true minister of
God should be spiritual being. as
nearly tho counterpart of his Mas
ter as il is possible for human be-
ing 10 Dc.
Not for Kings TO Drink.
In the 3lSt Provcrb we read: 1T
Is not for kings. O Lemucl, it is not
Tor kings To drink wine: nor for
princes strong drink: Lest they
drink. and forget the law. and per-
vert the judgment Of any of the al
flictcd."
Strong drink bcluddlcS the mind,
making it impossible for Il person 10
have clear. unbiased judgment. \
clear brain is necessary for any one
who must pass judgment and metz
out justice. The oppressed might not
be able 10 get relief if the king or
other judge was not in his right
mind or mlIddlcd from strong drink.
This same matter Of abstinence
from strong drink is brought To our
attention in ST. Lukc'S account of the
Angel GabriclS announcement Ia the
priest. ZachariaS. of the miracle OF
the coming birth of "a son To him and
his wife. Elisabeth. who were past
the age when they normally would
have child.
But the angel said unto him
(ZachariaS), Fear not, ZachariaS: for
thy prayer is heard: and thy wife
Elisabeth shall bear thee d son. and
thou shalt call his name John.
And thou shalt have Joy and
gladncSS: and many shall rejoice al
his birth.
For he shall be great in the sight
of the Lord. and shall drink neither
wine nor strong drink: and he shall
be filled with the Holy Ghost. even
from his mothers womb
John was OrdaincG rom birth to
be the iOrcrunner of Jesus. and to
proclaim His birth. You remember
as man, he lived very simply in
the wilderness, eating locuSts and
wild honey. 1t is possible that Zach
arias did not pray for this miracle
TO happen to him and Elisabeth. but
that. dis Il priest, he was concerned
Tor the redemption of his people. ana
! his petition WAS Il plea for leader
1t was answered in d way that must
| have made him wonder and be very.
! very thankful.
This son was 10 be fillcd-nnt VITA
I intOXicantS, but from his birth he
was TO be filled with the Holy Ghost
| 81 that he might exceed all other
| prophets. Even the PhariSccS did not
dare say that John the Baptist was
not prophet, and Herod did moi
| dare TO put him TO death until he