Entertainments: Often Scenes of Great Intemperance
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In the biblical context, entertainments and feasting are frequently depicted as occasions that can lead to excess and moral decline. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and warnings about the dangers of intemperance associated with such gatherings.

The book of Proverbs offers wisdom on the perils of overindulgence. Proverbs 23:20-21 advises, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This passage highlights the potential for financial and moral ruin that can accompany excessive indulgence in food and drink.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of intemperance in his letters. In Ephesians 5:18 , he exhorts believers, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Here, Paul contrasts the reckless behavior associated with drunkenness with the spiritual fulfillment found in living a life guided by the Holy Spirit.

The account of Belshazzar's feast in the book of Daniel serves as a stark illustration of the consequences of intemperance. During a lavish banquet, Belshazzar and his guests drank wine from the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem temple, leading to a divine judgment. Daniel 5:1-4 recounts, "King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles and drank wine with them. Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them." This act of sacrilege, fueled by intemperance, resulted in the fall of Babylon that very night.

The parable of the prodigal son, found in Luke 15:11-32, also illustrates the dangers of a lifestyle marked by excess. The younger son squanders his inheritance on "wild living" (Luke 15:13), which ultimately leads to his destitution and repentance. This narrative underscores the transient nature of pleasures derived from intemperance and the enduring value of repentance and reconciliation with God.

The Bible also provides guidance on how to approach feasting and celebrations in a manner that honors God. In 1 Corinthians 10:31 , Paul instructs, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." This principle encourages believers to engage in activities, including entertainments, with a mindset that seeks to glorify God rather than indulge in excess.

Throughout Scripture, the theme of temperance is consistently emphasized as a virtue that guards against the moral pitfalls associated with excessive indulgence. The biblical narrative warns of the spiritual and practical dangers of intemperance, urging believers to exercise self-control and to seek fulfillment in a life aligned with God's will.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Samuel 25:36
And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: why she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 5:3,4
Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 7:5
In the day of our king the princes have made him sick with bottles of wine; he stretched out his hand with scorners.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Church Fabrics and Services.
... Pearson's windows in Brasenose Chapel, his scenes from St ... in Lent,[1006] comparatively
few entertainments, public or ... to the evils of these often unruly festivals ...
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part ii
... Even here, while on earth, those who give alms often obtain great mercies from their
neighbours, and that which others only obtain for large sums of money is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about fun and entertainment? | GotQuestions.org

Can a Christian consider a career in acting / entertainment? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian respond to Hollywood? | GotQuestions.org

Entertainment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Entertainment

Entertainments: A Choice Portion Reserved In, for Principal Guests

Entertainments: Anxiety to Have Many Guests At, Alluded To

Entertainments: Began With Thanksgiving

Entertainments: Concluded With a Hymn

Entertainments: Custom of Presenting the Sop At, to One of the Guests,

Entertainments: Forwardness to Take Chief Seats At, Condemned

Entertainments: Given by the Guests in Return

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Birthdays

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Coronation of Kings

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Festivals

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Harvest Home

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Marriage

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of National Deliverance

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Offering Voluntary Sacrifice

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Ratifying Covenants

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Return of Friends

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Sheep-Shearing

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Taking Leave of Friends

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Vintage

Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Weaning Children

Entertainments: Guests At: Arranged According to Rank

Entertainments: Guests At: had Their Feet Washed when They Came a Distance

Entertainments: Guests At: Often Ate from the Same Dish

Entertainments: Guests At: Often had Separate Dishes

Entertainments: Guests At: Saluted by the Master

Entertainments: Guests At: Usually Anointed

Entertainments: Invitations to Often Addressed to Many

Entertainments: Invitations to Often by the Master in Person

Entertainments: Invitations to Often Only to Relatives and Friends

Entertainments: Invitations to Repeated Through Servants when all Things Were Ready

Entertainments: Invitations to should be Sent to the Poor

Entertainments: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Banquet of Wine

Entertainments: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Dinner

Entertainments: Kinds of, Mentioned in Scripture: Supper

Entertainments: Men and Women did not Usually Meet At

Entertainments: Music and Dancing often Introduced At

Entertainments: None Admitted To, After the Master had Risen and Shut The

Entertainments: None Asked to Eat or Drink More than he Liked At

Entertainments: Offense Given by Refusing to Go To

Entertainments: Often Given in The Air, Besides Fountains

Entertainments: Often Given in The Court of the House

Entertainments: Often Given in The House

Entertainments: Often Given in The Upper Room or Guest Chamber

Entertainments: Often Great

Entertainments: Often Scenes of Great Intemperance

Entertainments: Portions of, often Sent to the Absent

Entertainments: Preparations Made For

Entertainments: Served often by Hired Servants

Entertainments: Served often by Members of the Family

Entertainments: Under the Direction of a Master of the Feast

Related Terms

Treat (53 Occurrences)

Party (47 Occurrences)

Banquet (58 Occurrences)

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Reception (5 Occurrences)

Entertain (8 Occurrences)

Entertaining (1 Occurrence)

Inn (7 Occurrences)

Enthroned (25 Occurrences)

Host (261 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Order (809 Occurrences)

Gibeah (52 Occurrences)

Glee (2 Occurrences)

Welcome (31 Occurrences)

Invite (20 Occurrences)

Images (158 Occurrences)

Fare (13 Occurrences)

Treatment (6 Occurrences)

Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)

Tolerable (6 Occurrences)

Rich (140 Occurrences)

Entreaty (12 Occurrences)

Ease (46 Occurrences)

Drinking (114 Occurrences)

Dinner (23 Occurrences)

Marshal (2 Occurrences)

Mask (3 Occurrences)

Musical (14 Occurrences)

Prepare (199 Occurrences)

Board (47 Occurrences)

Cupbearer (10 Occurrences)

Concert (1 Occurrence)

Cheer (22 Occurrences)

Ask (1255 Occurrences)

Assembly (371 Occurrences)

Spread (257 Occurrences)

Eating (151 Occurrences)

Hospitality (9 Occurrences)

Honour (475 Occurrences)

Sheep (413 Occurrences)

Table (125 Occurrences)

Large (235 Occurrences)

Plagues (28 Occurrences)

Food (2953 Occurrences)

Harbor (9 Occurrences)

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)

Greece (15 Occurrences)

Ancient (64 Occurrences)

Egypt (596 Occurrences)

Religion (23 Occurrences)

Entertainments: Often Great
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