6Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7Do 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.”a 8We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.9We should not test Christ,b as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. (1 Corinthians 10:6-10)
Thoughts: The Old Testament is largely full of examples from which we should learn. The lessons we should learn that apply to the Corinthians and also to us today are: 1) do not commit sexual immorality, 2) do not try to manipulate/test God; and 3) do not grumble.
We could add to this the temptation of idolatry (vs. 7) which is involved in all the other three. Idolatry is putting something in God's place. Sexual immorality puts our lusts ahead of God's will- making us in effect worship our instincts. To test or manipulate God is asking God to bow to our whims for proof thus elevating ourselves over God. To grumble means that we are not happy with God or with how God does things. To grumble is the opposite of trust and faith in God. Paul also reminds the Corinthians that there are consequences to disobeying God. The Corinthians, as many today, do not care or get nervous about disobeying God. These examples are real stories of how God has dealt with His people who were out of control.
Prayer: Lord, let me learn from the examples of the past. Keep my heart in love solely with you.
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