1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Q.1. What special treatment did God give Israel? To what was Paul referring? Did the nation appreciate God’s miraculous care? What value should we place on Israel’s history? – (1 Cor.10:1-6)
When God redeemed Israel from slavery in Egypt, He proved Himself with many signs and wonders: Their forefathers were all divinely led –under the cloud (1 Cor.10:1 c.f. Exo.13:21). They were all miraculously saved, when they – all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea (1 Cor.10:1-2 c.f. Exo.14:22 & 29). All Israel survived when God miraculously provided, and – all ate the same spiritual food (1 Cor.10:3 c.f. Exo.16:4, 35). When the nation was faced with thirst in the wilderness, they – all drank the same spiritual drink (1 Cor.10:4 c.f. Exo.17:6). Jesus stated that just as God had previously given them Manna to save them, so He had now sent Jesus as the Bread of Life. We also learn that this spiritual Rock that brought refreshment, is indeed Christ (1 Cor.10:4 c.f. Exo.16:4, 35; Jn.4:14; 6:32-35; 7:37-38). Sadly, history records that most of the Children of Israel perished in the wilderness (1 Cor.10:5). However, we should not forget these lessons, because – these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved (1 Cor.10:6). The Scriptures serve to warn us. This is a strong challenge not to neglect the Old Testament.
Q.2. In what way was Israel idolatrous and immoral? How did God deal with their complaints? How can these stories benefit us? Can we depend on God during trials and temptations? – (1 Cor.10:7-13)
Even after Israel had been dramatically saved out of Egypt, she quickly turned to idolatry (1 Cor.10:7 c.f. Exo.32:1-8, 21-29). The Levites stood with Moses against the idolaters and slew three thousand men. Toward the end of the wilderness journeys, another twenty-three thousand were cut down by a plague, after acting immorally with the women of Moab (1 Cor.10:8 c.f. Num.25:1-18). God destroyed many others because of their constant grumbling against Moses, and their lack of faith in Him (1 Cor.10:9-10 c.f. Num.16:41, 49; 21:4-9). Some fourteen thousand, seven hundred died from a plague following the judgment on the families of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, as well as another two hundred and fifty men who burned incense that had not been consecrated (Num.16:31-35; 41-50). These Scriptures can send a powerful lesson to us, since – these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1 Cor.10:11). We should avoid becoming arrogant, because God’s punishment may also befall us – let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall (1 Cor.10:12). We need to flee from idolatry in all its shapes and forms (1 Cor.10:14). Nevertheless, we can approach life with confidence, because God is faithful and – No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it (1 Cor.10:13).