“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11
There are different kinds of people in this world. Some learn by experience, and some learn by example. I do not have to put a key into an electrical socket to understand (know) that I will receive a shock that I do not want to experience. However, a small child left unattended may put a key into a receptacle and receive quite a shock! Understanding this difference, consider the following.
In the Old Testament, we have so many examples from which to learn. At Corinth, Paul was dealing with a group of Believers who were having difficulties – especially with their Christian walk with Christ. He had already taught them many things, next he wanted to give them some examples from history. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1). Ignorant means “not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication to ignore (through disinclination).” Paul taught that Believers are to not be ignorant. So, Paul made a list of some important things they must know.
He wanted Believers to see the picture in the Old Testament that can be compared to a Believer. All who were “under the cloud” had just left Egypt where the death angel had “passed over”. God’s people who were in the house under the blood (see Exodus 12:13), did not suffer the judgment the Egyptians did. They were now under the cloud (see Exodus 13:21) and then “passed through the sea”. They had left Egypt. “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:2). Because they had stepped out by faith into the dry bed of the sea, they were “saved” from their enemy (the Egyptian army) which was destroyed. Now being identified with Moses, whom God had chosen to lead them out of bondage in Egypt, they were God’s people. “3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4. And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:3-4). God supplied all of the provisions that they needed in their wilderness journey.
Recognize that this is much like a picture of salvation for a Believer. Egypt is a picture of the world and bondage from which we are delivered by the blood of Christ through faith (see Romans 5:8-10). We then reveal what happened to that Believer by the picture of baptism (see Romans 6:3-11), identifying with Christ. Just as the Israelites were separated from Egypt by the Red Sea, Christians are to be separated from the world. It is then we recognize that Jesus has living water (see John 4:13-14), Jesus is the Bread of Life (see John 6:35), He is the Light of the World (see John 6:1), and the Resurrection and the Life (see John 11:25). Jesus gives all of the provisions we will ever need to live this Christian life.
Paul reminded them of what happened when they entered into the wilderness. “But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness” (1 Corinthians 10:5). Because they set their hearts upon things contrary to what God had for them, God was not pleased with them, and they remained in the wilderness far longer than God had intended.
He then gave a list of five important things of which to be cognizant: 1 Corinthians 10:6-10:
- “6. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” This reminds them of when the Israelites were not satisfied with the manna God provided (see Exodus 16:15 and Numbers 11:4). Warning: Do not want evil things of this world. Read God’s Word to know what is needed for the Christian’s life.
- “7. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” This was a reminding of the worship of the golden calf (see Exodus 32:4-8). Warning: Do not put anything in your life in the place of the one true God.
- “8. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” This was to remember those who received the counsel of Balaam and joined unto Baalpeor (see Numbers 31:16 and Number 25:1-9). Warning: Do not succumb to a wicked life before God.
- “9. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” This was a reminding of when the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people for speaking against God and Moses (see Numbers 21:5-9). Warning: Believers are warned against tempting Christ (see Hebrews 10:26-31).
- “10. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” This is to remind them of the many, many times they murmured against God and Moses during the days in the wilderness (see Exodus 15:24; 16:2, 7-12; 17:3, Numbers 14:27-29, etc). Believers are to be content with God’s provisions (see Hebrews 13:5-6).
These instances reveal the downward steps some chose: to lust, be idolaters, fornicators, tempters, and murmurers. The final straw was when they refused to enter into the land God had promised them. It was for this reason, the people remained in the wilderness for forty years and all over the age of twenty died there (except for Joshua and Caleb who believed God). There are many Believers today who live their Christian lives in these continual wrong choices, remaining in the “wilderness”, never reaching the potential of a victorious Christian life. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Do you recognize a downward step in your Christian life that is keeping you from a victorious Christian life?