1 Corinthians 10:6-13
6: Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
7: Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
8: Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9: Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
10: Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11: Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
13: 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.
Paul explained his statement he had just said that God was not well pleased with the ones who came out of Egypt, and he gives examples. First, he said not to crave evil things as they did. The Israelites, as well as the non-Hebrews who came out of Egypt with them, craved meat and other delicacies of Egypt. They complained about this and other difficulties of their journey. This angered the Lord and many of them died by fire and plague (Numbers 11).
Next, Paul quoted Exodus 32:6 where the people “sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” This was when they built the golden calf to worship because they had become impatient waiting for Moses to come down from the mount where he was meeting with God and receiving the commandments. Paul also mentioned the time Israel bowed down to Baal of Peor at Shittim right before they entered the Promised Land and at least 23,000 of them died of a plague (Numbers 25).
He went on about the complaining of the Israelites which caused many to be bitten by serpents and die (Numbers 21:5), and the grumbling and rebellion which caused more to perish (Numbers 16:49). All of these are examples to us of what not to do. They are written for our instruction, for those of us living in this current age until the Lord returns.
Paul warned them not to become overconfident, thinking they were incapable of falling. Temptations come to everyone, yet God will not allow something to tempt you without providing a way to get through it. Along with the temptation comes a way of escape so we may endure it, not necessarily avoid it. For there are things we must confront directly in our lives in order to overcome them—whether its evil cravings, idolatry, complaining, rebellion, or any other obstacle which tries to keep us off the righteous path. We learn much during those times, overcoming evil and becoming more like the Lord.
7: Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.”
8: Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.
9: Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents.
10: Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11: Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
12: Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
13: 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.
***
Paul explained his statement he had just said that God was not well pleased with the ones who came out of Egypt, and he gives examples. First, he said not to crave evil things as they did. The Israelites, as well as the non-Hebrews who came out of Egypt with them, craved meat and other delicacies of Egypt. They complained about this and other difficulties of their journey. This angered the Lord and many of them died by fire and plague (Numbers 11).
Next, Paul quoted Exodus 32:6 where the people “sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” This was when they built the golden calf to worship because they had become impatient waiting for Moses to come down from the mount where he was meeting with God and receiving the commandments. Paul also mentioned the time Israel bowed down to Baal of Peor at Shittim right before they entered the Promised Land and at least 23,000 of them died of a plague (Numbers 25).
He went on about the complaining of the Israelites which caused many to be bitten by serpents and die (Numbers 21:5), and the grumbling and rebellion which caused more to perish (Numbers 16:49). All of these are examples to us of what not to do. They are written for our instruction, for those of us living in this current age until the Lord returns.
Paul warned them not to become overconfident, thinking they were incapable of falling. Temptations come to everyone, yet God will not allow something to tempt you without providing a way to get through it. Along with the temptation comes a way of escape so we may endure it, not necessarily avoid it. For there are things we must confront directly in our lives in order to overcome them—whether its evil cravings, idolatry, complaining, rebellion, or any other obstacle which tries to keep us off the righteous path. We learn much during those times, overcoming evil and becoming more like the Lord.
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