The Warning Example of Israel

Text:  1 Cor 10:1-13

In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, the Apostle Paul brought up the example of Israel as a warning for us. The children of Israel had received tremendous blessings from God, but they took God for granted, sinned against Him and failed as the national witness of God. Paul warned us to take heed lest we too will stumble and fall (1 Cor 10:12).

The blessings upon Israel:

1.    The blessing of God’s presence and guidance (1 Cor 10:1; Exod 13:21-22)
2.     The blessing of God’s protection (1 Cor 10:1)
3.     The privilege of having Moses, a faithful and meek servant of God, as their leader (1 Cor 10:2)
4.     The miraculous provision of meat and drink by God (1 Cor 10:3-4)
5.     The blessing of the presence of Christ (1 Cor 10:4)

The children of Israel came out of the land of bondage, but many of them did not get to enter the Promised Land because of their sins.

The sins of Israel:

1.     The sin of lust (1 Cor 10:6; Num 11:4-6, 34; Ps 78:18-32)
2.     The sin of idolatry (1 Cor 10:7)
3.     The sin of fornication (1 Cor 10:7-8; Exod 32:6)
4.     The sin of tempting Christ (1 Cor 10:9; Num 21:4-6)
5.     The sin of murmuring (1 Cor 10:10; Num 14:27-29)

We must not take our faith and salvation for granted. We must trust and rely on God. With God, there is nothing that we cannot overcome. He is a faithful God (1 Cor 10:13).