Young People's Group

LEARNING FROM OLD TESTAMENT EXAMPLES

by Pastor Mitch
August 08, 2010

Lessons From Past Mistakes

History repeats itself. If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we may be foolish enough to repeat them. In the text of the Old Testament, we can learn important lessons especially from the bad examples of the Israelites.

“Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.” 
1 Corinthians 10:6

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the end of the ages have come.” 
1 Corinthians 10:11

The people of Israel were God’s chosen people. Yet, they lusted after evil things that God had commanded them not to. The Lord had specially protected and provided for them when they were in the wilderness for forty years. And yet they sinned gravely against Him. They became idolaters and committed sexual immorality. They also tested the Lord by doubting His presence and help when they had already seen so many of His signs and wonders. They also complained against Him and He had to deal with them most severely. These events of the Old Testament were specially written for our instruction and learning. We are meant not to repeat the same mistakes of the Israelites. We are meant to learn from them.

The Challenge To Take Heed In Times Of Testing

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” 
1 Corinthians 10:12

Paul exhorted the Corinthian Church to not take things for granted. If anyone thinks that he is truly standing strong in faith, he should think again. They should humbly see how easy it is to fall spiritually. The challenge for them was to take heed of themselves and of the word of God despite whatever tribulations they had to go through. They should not allow themselves to end up like the Israelites in testing the Lord and complaining against Him. Our challenge is to always guard ourselves.

Trusting In God’s Sovereignty In Allowing Testing

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 
1 Corinthians 10:13

Paul wrote of how every testing that has been given to us, others have gone through them before. God is faithful in ensuring that whatever challenges we have to face, we will be able to endure them. He will not allow us to go through something that we cannot bear. Through His grace and wisdom, somehow, He will even use the very testing as a way out of it. He will work all things together for our good. Let’s choose not to complain and rebel against God as the Israelites did. Let’s truly learn to trust in His sovereignty in allowing whatever testing that may come into our lives.

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