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NEW HEARTS
After the Babylonian captivity , Jeremiah wrote these words to those remaining : “ For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob , and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he . Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion , and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord , for wheat , and for wine [ tiyrosh- freshly squeezed ] … and their soul shall be as a watered garden ; and they shall not sorrow any more at all .” [ Jer 31:11-12 ] “ Gather ye wine and summer fruits and put them in your vessels ... and gathered wine [ tiyrosh ] very much .” [ Jer 40:10,12 ] “ They shall build the waste cities , plant vineyards , and drink the wine [ tiyrosh ] thereof .” [ Amos 9:14 ] A priority after the desolation was to restore the pure fruits of the vine . “ In that day sing ye unto her , a vineyard of red wine . I the Lord do keep it ; I will water it every moment lest any hurt it . I will keep it night and day .” [ Is 27:2 ] God ‟ s idea of keeping a vineyard in this day of rejoicing was far different than the Israelite Old Covenant understanding . “ For how great is His goodness , and how great is His beauty ! Corn shall make the young men cheerful , and new wine [ tiyrosh - freshly squeezed ] the maids .” [ Zech 9:17 ] “ The [ children and sucklings ] say unto their mothers , Where is corn and wine ?” [ tiyrosh ]
[ Lam 2:12 ] Every decent mother teaches her child to desire and strive for purity . “ For [ the unfaithful wife ] did not know that I
gave her corn and wine [ tiyrosh ] ... therefore I will return and take away My wine [ tiyrosh ] in the season thereof .” [ Hos 2:8,9 ] The unfaithful bride of the Old Covenant was given everything symbolized in the pure blood of Christ , but they rejected it . Messiah was soon appearing , would the results be different this time ? “ Ho , every one that thirsteth … come ye buy wine [ tiyrosh ] without money .” [ Is55:1 ] The prophesied day had come . The Righteous One walked among men , many would thirst for the Word of God , the True Vine and Old Covenant ignorance would no longer be winked at : “ This shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel … I will write it in their hearts ; and will be their God , and they shall be My people .” [ Jer 31:33 ] Jesus came to change the Old Covenant manner of thinking : “ Moses , because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you but from the beginning it was not so .” [ Mat 19:8 ] Jesus declared , “ Take heed to yourselves , lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with drunkeness so that day come upon you unawares .” [ Luke 21:34 ]
How widespread was the consumption of alcohol and drunkenness in New Testament times ? So much so that this report was given during the strange events at Pentecost : “ Others mocking said , These men are full of new wine .” [ Acts 2:13 ] During the time of the early rain , Christian character reformation was in full throttle . The apostles denounced the use of fermented wine that was so freely consumed by their forefathers . New Covenant believers , full of faith , with hearts of flesh , were urged to choose holy living over the former ways . God speaks to New Covenant Christians today , likening us to those who are set apart to do His will : “ But ye are a chosen generation , a royal priesthood , an holy nation , a peculiar people ; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light .”
[ 1 Pet 2:9 ] Christian ‟ s today are part of the royal priesthood who were forbidden to drink alcohol . Any person who chooses not to drink alcohol automatically falls under the category of being very peculiar in today ‟ s society .