Written For Our Learning

Apostle Paul mentions on occasion why the Old Testament was important to us. It was written of the ways God treated His chosen nation for our learning. It was instruction of things good versus evil. It taught Israel the difference between right and wrong. The Law of Moses was filled with individual practical instruction of that which God accepted and that which God disliked; including its punishment for such unacceptable evils. In recognizing their sins, we, today, can know the punishment with which God smote them and know our punishment for the same. (Romans 15:4) Paul reiterated some of those punishments unto Israel from their past. The Jews in Corinth needed reminding; the Gentiles needed instruction.

In chapter 8, Paul identified pagan gods–objects called gods–as nothing. They had no power over mankind; they could do nothing for the one believing they could.

In chapter 10, Paul turns to perhaps the arrogance of the Jews over the newly converted Gentiles. The Jews, believing they were the chosen people, felt perhaps they could not fall from the grace of God. (vss. 1-5) Are there those who feel they, too, will not fall from God’s grace being in the family of God?

Let us look at the things written for their learning of which Paul reminds the Jews of their past. Even though they were the chosen people; even though they did not fulfill the wishes of God, God had to use harsh punishment against the sinners. Let us notice some of the examples.

1 Cor. 10:5. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Even being God’s chosen, they still angered God and His wrath fell upon them many times. What did God do unto the sinners? In their physical life he punished them even unto physical death. Many methods were used to inflict their deaths. One should learn from their mistakes; even learn from others' mistakes.

1 Cor. 10:6-8. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

The Hebrews desired unclean things they saw other nations have. They lusted after evil things. They were not pleased with righteous things God desired they have; they wanted what others had. They became idolaters following the other nation’s gods thinking they could provide the evil things they lusted after. Their minds were on worldly things and activities; not righteous activities done to please God. The Pagan lifestyle, including fornication, became the normal activity. Let us notice examples from their past where God destroyed those who participated in such evil activities; once when twenty-plus thousand died.

Numbers 25:1-9. 25 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel. 4 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the Lord against the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. 6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

Some people, even today, think they can tempt God. “I can fornicate tonight, Saturday night, because I am going to church tomorrow and I can ask for forgiveness.” I had one girl tell me this. What does God desire?

1 Cor. 10:9. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Numbers 21:4-6. 4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.