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"These things became our examples..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:6

UNDERSTANDING HISTORY

Paul had an excellent view of how we may understand history. Past events are not to be understood as mere historical facts. There are lessons that must be learned!

“But with most of them God was not well pleased,
for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
Now these things became our examples, to the intent that
we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”
1 Corinthians 10:5-6

1. “But with most of them”

a) The context suggests that this was during the days of Moses.

b) “Most of them” implies:

i) Majority

ii) There was but a remnant who was faithful to God.

2. “God was not well pleased”

a) God could not take pleasure in the following:

i) The complainers

ii) The rebels

iii) The wicked

b) In direct contrast:

i) God declared He was well-pleased with His Beloved Son (Matthew 3:17).

ii) God was pleased with Jesus because He was totally faithful and obedient.

3. “Became our examples”

a) The people who sinned gravely against the Lord died in the wilderness.

b) Their bodies were described as “scattered in the wilderness”.

c) They became “examples”

i) Of what we should not do.

ii) These “examples” served as warnings.

4. “That we should not lust after evil things”

a) There was a lust for food (The children of Israel lusted for meat- Numbers 11).

b) There was a lust for power and authority (The sons of Korah- Numbers 16).

c) The “evil” lies within the heart.

d) The Lord God had to deal severely with evil.