Alcohol is for those who are suffering, not for those who need to lead. The phrase "ready to die" uses the Hebrew word aved, meaning lost or perishing. The idea isn’t that drinking solves pain, but that numbing yourself is understandable when life feels unbearable. For leaders, though, the call is different: they’re supposed to stay present and alert, not escape reality.

This pushes back on the belief that everyone should deal with pain the same way, or that leaders deserve the same escapes as everyone else. It recognizes that sometimes people reach for relief when things feel hopeless, but it doesn’t recommend it as a solution—just as a last resort for the desperate.

If you’re in pain, this verse acknowledges that urge to numb out is real. But if you’re responsible for others, the challenge is to stay awake to life, even when it’s hard. Sometimes, the strongest thing you can do is face reality head-on, for your sake and for those who count on you.