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"Do not become idolaters..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:7

THE PROBLEM OF IDOLATRY

Idolatry was a problem that plagued Israel for the longest time. Even though the laws of God were very clear, and even if Moses ministered untiringly, the problem of idolatry persisted!

“And do not become idolaters as were some of them.
As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink,
and rose up to play.’
Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did,
and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.”
1 Corinthians 10:7-8

1. Idolatry

a) This was clearly prohibited.

b) This was stated in the Second Commandment (Ten Commandments Exodus 20).

2. Some adverse effects

a) Idolatry and immorality.

b) They were closely connected

i) In the days of Moses.

ii) In the days of Paul.

c) The city of Corinth

i) Thousands of temple priestesses were involved.

ii) These offered sexual services.

iii) Religious rites sometimes involved sexual immorality.

3. “Twenty-three thousand fell”

a) This incident was recorded in Numbers 25.

b) The women of Moab caused the men of Israel to engage in sexual immorality.

c) The danger was obvious!

d) Moses had to take firm action against these people.

4. The importance of this incident

a) In Numbers 22-24 Balaam was engaged to curse Israel by king Balak.

b) Balaam tried to curse Israel but failed in all his attempts.

c) But where curses did not work, immorality did.

d) Israel’s immorality so enraged God that thousands were slain.

e) This was an example that must not be forgotten!