Don't Fail the Test

A warning from 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

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As Christians, we are running in a race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

This race requires discipline and focus. Otherwise, we could become “disqualified.”

What Paul does next is to point Christians to Old Testament examples who were “running the race” with God, but did not remain focused and were ultimately “disqualified.”

They failed the test, and their example remains as a warning for us.

The Children of Israel Enjoyed the Blessings of God.

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:1-4)

The children of Israel were blessed by God in the following ways:

• Protection and Guidance - Under the cloud (Exodus 13:21-22).

• Deliverance - Passed through the sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

• Provision - Ate the same spiritual food (Exodus 16:4, 15) and drank the same spiritual drink (Exodus 17:5-7).

Christ was the one providing for them and who delivered them.

God had “saved” the children of Israel from captivity and “delivered” and “protected” them. He provided both protection and nourishment. With God, they had everything they needed to “finish the race” and arrive safely in Canaan.

But God Was Not Pleased With Them.

But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (1 Corinthians 10:5-10)

Even though the children of Israel enjoyed such blessings from the Lord, He was not “well pleased” with them – and their bodies were scattered throughout the wilderness during the 40 years of wandering.

They became our examples:

1. Not to lust after evil things like them which resulted in the Lord striking them with a “very great plague” (Numbers 11).

2. Not to become idolaters as some of them were, which resulted in about 3,000 men being killed and the Lord sending plagues upon the people (Exodus 32:4-6).

3. Not committing sexual immorality as some of them did and in one day 23,000 died – 24,000 total (Numbers 25:1-9).

4. Not testing Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents (Exodus 17:2-7; Numbers 21:6-9).

5. Not to complain as some of them complained and were destroyed by the destroyer (Numbers 14:26-38).

Christians Should Learn From Their Example.

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)

All these examples that God preserved in His word are for us (Romans 15:4), and for our instruction – we ought to learn from the example of the children of Israel.

They were “saved” and enjoying the benefits of God’s blessings, and yet, many of them failed to enter the Promised Land because of what they did.

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

Today, we face the same kinds of temptations and trials that the children of Israel faced. But we don’t have to suffer the same fate as them because we can choose the “way of escape” God provides for us.

Writing to the Christians in Corinth who were facing some of the same “tests” that the children of Israel faced, Paul cautions them not to choose the same path.

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We are running in a race as Christians – God has saved us and He provides all we need in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

But when we face tests and temptations – will we choose to keep walking with God? Will we choose a different path than the children of Israel chose? Or will we walk the same path as them and arrive at the same fate?

The choice is yours.