New Wine Intoxicates [Haggai 1:1-15]

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised (C. New Wine)

C. New Wine The biblical terms for “new wine” are Heb. tîrôš (Hos. 9:2; Hag. 1:11; Zec. 9:17), Gk. oínos néos (Mt. 9:17; Mk. 2:22; Lk. 5:37f), gleúkos Acts 2:13). New wine was wine from the most recent harvest, while old wine was wine from the previous year. The AV and RSV render Heb. tîrôš simply by “wine” or by “new wine.” This OT term for wine is frequently paired with “grain” (Heb. dāg̱ān, Gen. 27:28, 37; Ps. 4:7 [MT 8]) and/or “oil” (Heb. yiṣhār, Dt. 7:13; 11:14; 12:17; Jer. 31:12) in contexts extolling productivity and abundance. Both yayin and tîrôš are fermented grape juice with alcoholic content; hence both are able to cause intoxication (cf. Hos. 4:11) and are to be distinguished from “must” or unfermented grape juice. In the saying about new wine in old wineskins (Mt. 9:17 par) the new wine is the recent product of the harvest, which should not be placed in brittle, unpliant wineskins because it may burst them. In the process of fermentation carbon dioxide gas is released, creating pressure within the container (cf. Job 32:19). The “new wine” (Gk. gleúkos) of the Pentecost account (Acts 2:13) was the vintage of the recent harvest; the thrust of the taunt requires that it refer to wine that can cause intoxication.

English Standard Version Introduction

Introduction

When the first wave of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem in 538 B.C., they began to rebuild the temple but soon gave up. Inspired by the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah, they finally completed the task in 516. Haggai rebuked the people for living in “paneled houses” while the house of God remained in ruins (1:4). He warned that, despite their best efforts, their wealth would never suffice, because the Lord was not pleased with their neglect of his temple (see Lev. 26:2–20). He called them to repent and renew their covenant with the God of their fathers. He assured them that God would achieve his purposes for his people and for all other nations. The rebuilding of the temple symbolized God’s restored presence among his people.

New wine can intoxicate you in a bad way or in a good way.

Bad way:

This event takes place in “the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month..” which is a reference to 520 BC.

Darius was a Persian King from 522-486 BC. Which tells us that God’s people were under the direction of the Medes and Persians.

God’s word is given to Haggai for Zerubbabel the governor of Judah.

Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin and ancestor of Jesus.

The people were building luxurious homes for themselves and neglecting the building of the house of God.

The message through the prophet Haggai was from God: “why are you living in Luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”

We see a sense of detachment between Haggai and the rest of the community.

When we allow New wine to intoxicate us in a bad way we become selfish, we have our own agenda, God’s agenda is no longer ours.

Then God inter-vines: “Consider your ways.”

Look at your life: look at how much you have sown and how little you have harvested; how much you have put into this financially and how little it has grown; how much time you have put into this marriage or relationship and how little it has improved.

You are constantly consuming but you are never full; you are always looking for more and never being contented.

You purchase the best of clothing for yourself in order to be comfortable but still you are not.

When we become intoxicated with new wine in a bad way it’s an effort to improve our own lives and it proves to be futile because we have ignored the important task of restoring Yahweh’s house (V.9)

English Standard Version Chapter 6

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

New wine when used in a bad way causes God to withhold needed ingredients for the land that helps the needs of all people. Not just yourself (V.10, 11).

Good Way:

V. 12-15: Haggai’s message inspires the correct response, and the governor along with the people restarted their work on the temple.

When we become intoxicated with new wine in a good way the LORD stirs up our spirit, and our work now becomes one of joy, it’s easy, and delightful to us. We look forward to the task. The needs of others becomes our priority. We are conforming and participating in the practices of the early church in Acts 2:42–47 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”