1 Corinthians 10 - 6.5.25
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 10:1 - 10
Idolatry Then and Now - Warnings from Israel’s History
1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 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.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
OBSERVATION
When it is written that “their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” it’s an example that the Israelites failed to keep their focus on God, and they started giving themselves to idolatry. Some of the Corinthian Christians not only got too close in their association with idols (false gods, Idols made out of stone and wood) they also made an idol out of their own “knowledge” and their own “rights.” Also, Israel, in their idolatry, surrendered to the temptation of sexual immorality. They worshiped sins of the flesh.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
APPLICATION
What is idolatry today? Even for those who do not bow physically before a statue, idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions and ultimately rebellion against God. Some Christians not only get too close in their association with idols; they also make an idol out of their own “knowledge” and their own “rights.”
We all are tempted one way or another; every day: saying the wrong words, watching the wrong media, hanging out with the wrong people, spending money on the wrong things, etc. You name it…”I am tempted______” –fill in the blank. We can and should take warning from the bad examples of Israel. God’s words are the way out…we are not locked into temptation, it’s a choice. Think twice. The difference is---because of Jesus Christ we have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God, a divine presence that dwells within believers, guiding and empowering us. This is a beautiful reminder that we are never alone in our journey of faith; the Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter, and advocate.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, words fail me, and with tears, I thank you for being my/our helper, comforter and advocate. Temptation comes when we least expect it; and in the many ways we are most vulnerable. I/we are not perfect. And Lord, as difficult reading and understanding your word can be because of the time it was written, YOU show us how to identify with the experiences of the men and women in biblical times because we have your Holy Spirit in us…and because of this—You WILL show us what to avoid and be with our choices when we turn to you FIRST in any dilemma. Thank you, Father GOD, for your unfailing grace, unmerited favor. AMEN!
- Charleen Zakarian
