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Strength is a great blessing, but if it is used in the service of sin it becomes a curse.

I. THE GREAT DRINKERS of that day were just the same sort of men as they are now here in our country.

1. They are grasping and selfish (ver. 8). They are often willing to take bribes if they are magistrates (ver. 23), and to condemn the innocent rather than lose their money or credit.

2. They are dull of understanding of the things of God (ver. 12).

3. They are greedy of sire Drink makes men pull destruction upon themselves (ver. 18).

4. They are liars (ver. 20). It would be difficult to find one lover of drink who was truthful. However kind and generous a sot may be, his word can never be depended upon. "Deceiving and being deceived" is his exact portrait.

5. Clever in their own eyes (ver. 21).

II. THE WOES the prophet declares are sure to come on these men mighty to drink wine.

1. Poverty (vers. 9, 10). The great and beautiful houses will soon be vacant, and the neglected fields will soon be like the sluggard's garden. More than half the empty houses and the farms that are given up in this country represent the doings of drink.

2. Degradation (ver. 13). Captivity to a Jew meant more than poverty — loss of honour, of position, of hope, grinding toil, pollution, horrid slavery. What can degrade body and mind like drink? (ver. 15.)

3. Death (ver. 14). There is a sin unto death. More than 60,000 drunkards go down to their dishonoured graves every year in Britain. Think of death and hell "gaping" to take in these hosts of slain.

(Josiah Mee.)

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KJV: Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:

WEB: Woe to those who are mighty to drink wine, and champions at mixing strong drink;