~5 min read
Ps Paul Cheng
1 Corinthians 10:1-5
“...Be careful, for your over-confidence is hurting yourself!…”
Dear Bethelites,
In our previous pastoral chats concerning chapters 8 and 10, we had discussed how Paul dealt with meat offered to idols. Why did Paul have to spend two chapters to touch on the same subject about meat offered to idols? Both had to do with Christian liberty! But there was a difference between those two chapters; in chapter 8, Paul was exhorting the Corinthians to be careful that their Christian liberty did not hurt or stumble other people, while in chapter 10, he was telling them to be careful that their Christian liberty did not hurt themselves.
Perhaps, some Corinthians might be thinking that the idols were nothing, and food offered were basically still food, and they could be involved in the various types of idolatrous activities and yet not be affected by them. That was the key verse of 1 Corinthians 10:12, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall!
In a similar fashion, today there are some people who think to themselves, “I know the Scriptures. I am well-grounded in the doctrines of the Bible. I am a Bible teacher and spiritually mature. Therefore, I can go into the world and be engaged in the things of the world, and yet not be affected by worldliness and ungodliness.” Be careful, for your over-confidence is hurting yourself!
The Apostle Paul began with a little history lesson about the nation of Israel. It is always good for one to learn from the wonderful success stories of men and women in the past, but it is just as useful for him to learn from the failures of historical figures as well, so that he will not make the same mistakes.
Verse 1, Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
The word moreover connects chapter 10 to chapters 8 and 9. Therefore Paul was still on the topic of food offered to idols. Here, he was emphasizing the fact that the Israelites had great privileges. The Israelites had spent 400 years as slaves in Egypt, where they were subjected to the oppressions and abuses of the Egyptians. After God sent the ten plagues against the tormentors, He miraculously delivered the Israelites. He opened the Red Sea for them to pass through the sea on dry land and then closed the waters on the Egyptians. He guided them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (cf. Exodus 13:21).
Verse 2, And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. This verse has been quite controversial because some people interpret it as referring to the sacrament of water baptism. I have heard of Presbyterians who believe in sprinkling as the mode of baptism using the first part of this verse to say, “Well, you see, they were baptised in the cloud (one cannot be immersed in the cloud, he can only be sprinkled by the rain from the cloud),” and the Baptists who believe in immersion as the mode of baptism using the second part of this verse to say, “Well, you see, they were baptised in the sea (that speaks of immersion).” But this verse was not talking about water baptism because the cloud actually went in front of the Israelites, it gave them direction, and they were certainly not immersed in the sea, remember, they went through as on dry land.
Here, the word baptized means to be identified, which is one aspect of the meaning of baptism. When we trust in Jesus Christ, we are baptised into Him, and identified with Him, and one with Him. Galatians 3:27, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. The Israelites believed in the Lord Jehovah, and they believed in His servant Moses, and they were all baptized unto Moses in that they were identified with him as God’s appointed leader over them.
Verse 3, And did all eat the same spiritual meat. Sometimes people would use the phrase spiritual meat to refer to a spiritual strengthening, or a spiritual feeding, especially being spiritually fed by the Word of God. While it is true that God will spiritually strengthen His people, here the meat is a reference to the manna (bread from heaven) that the Israelites had received throughout their forty years in the wilderness. And the word spiritual simply means it was spiritually or supernaturally provided.
The people not only had the food, but they also had the drink. Verse 4, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. Again, it was spiritually and supernaturally provided by God. Throughout their forty years in the wilderness, there was Someone who gave them food and water. And that Someone was none other than the Rock Jesus Christ. Christ was with them throughout their entire journey. It was so comforting to know that the Israelites had received guidance, protection, food and water, all provided for, by the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, they were a privileged people, for they were recipients of the incredible spiritual blessings.
Sadly, But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness (v.5).
Out of all the adults who left Egypt, only two actually went into the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb. How could such a large group of people, who were recipients of God’s amazing spiritual blessings, and yet ended up dying in the wilderness? The answer is, “They were overconfident!” The Israelites thought, “We have all these blessings. Therefore, we are great and special. We can stand and make it on our own!” But they died most tragically, and their bodies were overthrown or scattered in the wilderness.
God was not well pleased with the Israelites because instead of being grateful to His blessings and responding in good faith, they murmured and complained against Him. That was why God said to Moses and Aaron in Numbers 14:27, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me....As truly as I live…Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun (Numbers 14:27-30).
Dear friend, the one important lesson we can learn from this passage is that great spiritual blessings are no guarantee that one will not fall. One may be born into a Christian family; he may have attended the Sunday school since infancy, graduated from the elementary classes and moved into the worship services, given many opportunities to serve the Lord in the various ministries of the church. One may have witnessed the hands of God working in his family and individual life. But he must not be proud, and think that just because of all these spiritual blessings, he will fall.
Why did God record for us in the Holy Scriptures that the Israelites had experienced such great spiritual blessings, and yet be overthrown in the wilderness, not being able to enter the Promised Land? Is it not for our good? Truly it is for our spiritual learning that we will not make the same mistakes. This is the lesson from history, do not be overconfident!
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
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