Paul is pressing the point, the ancient stories are not just simply stories. They are examples. They are lessons for us. They warn us and teach us. If we will listen.
1 Corinthians 10 v 6 “Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”
Failure number 1: “Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” V7.
Paul is referring to the story found in Exodus 32 when the people tired of waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain with God’s revelation asked Aaron to build them a golden calf. They wanted to worship. We all do. The golden calf helped them to do that. And what was reserved for God was given to an idol.
A golden calf is when:- We want the direction but not the submission; We cannot wait any longer; We give way under intimidation; Something replaces God in our focus; There is compromise; There is initial joy but later judgment.
And can you see the connection? Before the golden calf they sat down and ate food sacrificed to idols.
Failure number 2: “We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.” V8.
Paul draws from the story in Numbers 25. It was the final sin in the Wilderness and it had devastating consequences. The men had sexual relations with the Moabite woman. It shows how it is easy to be seduced from your blessing. It is easy to take your eyes off your destiny. It is easy to stop searching and longing for God. It is easy to lose your hunger. It is easy to be yoked and then taken down unfamiliar paths and to behave in ways you would never believe you could. Yes, it’s easy to be seduced from your blessing. And can you see the connection? With the Moabite women they ate the food sacrificed to idols.
They were counted in but they were not counted out. They blew it and never became all that they could become. Or as Ravenhill’s haunting book title says: They drank from the River and died in the Wilderness.
Frightening. Read it again. They drank from the River and died in the Wilderness.
Failure number 3: “We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.” V9
Paul again reminds the Corinthians of their stories being symbols for the present generation. This story comes from Numbers 21 when God’s people were grumbling about God not providing for them. One of the things they said was “There is no bread! And we detest this miserable food!” God sent venomous snakes and many died. And the connection? They were grumbling about food.
Failure number 4: “And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.”v10.
This story comes in Numbers 16. Korah, Dathan, Abiram and 250 well-known and established members of the governing council of Israel became insolent and rose up against Moses. Why? They were complaining that Moses had brought them from the land of milk and honey. Again the provision of food is in the centre of the story. What was the reaction from Moses? His immediate response was in contrast to their rising to complain. He fell facedown. If only they had fallen down first and brought their complaint to God. If only they had learnt that to lead is to serve. But their rights for food overtook their hearts for God.
Four stories of failure all centred around idolatry, immorality and food! That is the connection. Idolatry and immorality are the 2 complaints that Paul sees of the church. He wants them to understand their history. He warns them. If you eat food sacrificed to idols, with no thought of anyone else who might stumble because of what you are doing, then it simply reflects the hearts of your ancestors which was self-centred and whose hearts God will not bless.
Missions Paul 