Bible Reading: Exodus 6; Job 23; Luke 9; 1 Corinthians 10
1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
The New Testament tells us the Israelites of the Old Testament are examples for us that we should learn the lessons from their wrong examples! Bad examples can teach just as good examples can. When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, they all experienced the same thing. They all saw the plagues, the exodus, the parting of the red sea, and the manna from heaven and heard the report of the spies. However, they did not all react the same. Some of them believed God and some of them did not. From those who did not, the Bible teaches us four lessons.
1 Corinthians 10:7 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. From Exodus 32 when Moses was on the mountain receiving the Law from God, the people made a golden calf and ate and danced before it. The desire to worship is strong within man. We must worship the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and come to him by Jesus ONLY! The Bible tells us: 1 Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
- 1 Corinthians 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. From Numbers 25 the men of Israel were enticed by the daughters of Moab and reveled in their idolatrous feast. This lead to a time of sexual orgy with the Moabite women. God was so displeased, that 23,000 of the Israelites were slain that day. God's plan for sexual intimacy is VERY SIMPLE – one man and one woman bound by the covenant of marriage. Anything outside of that is sin.
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. From Numbers 21 when the people complained against Moses and said he had brought them into the wilderness that they should die. They were completely ignoring the Mighty Hand of God all around them! God sent fiery serpents among them and many died. We are to TRUST the Lord, not TEMPT him.
- 1 Corinthians 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Exodus 15, 16 and 17 the people continually murmured against Moses. Many times they murmured because they did not have water. God always provided for them. But they complained and griped constantly. Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputing.
Each of these sins led to death for the Israelites. We deal with these today! We must learn the lessons of old. God wants to fill you with his Spirit and bring the nature of Christ out of you!
In Christ,
Rody
