BACKGROUND:
This chapter continues Paul’s argument concerning the lifestyle of the believers and the need for self-discipline. Some of the Corinthian believers thought that because they had professed faith, went to church, and joined in the Lord’s Supper, they could then live as they pleased. But this was a false belief, as Paul would show through the example he used from Israel’s history.
A perfect Old Testament example of believing the false notion that one can be saved and then live a faithless, Godless life can be seen in what happened to the Jews’ ancestors in the wilderness long ago. The book of Exodus contains the record of their miraculous escape from slavery in Egypt by the intervention of God (Exodus 1–12). God gave them a leader (Moses), set them free (through great miracles), and then guided all of them as they moved out of Egypt and headed toward the land God wanted to give them (the Promised Land).
God’s presence was with them in the form of a cloud by day and fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). When they came to the Red Sea, God brought them all safely through the waters of the sea on dry ground (Exodus 14).
Paul was making the point that all of the Israelites experienced the miracles of God’s protection and guidance. Yet, later, so many turned away. Many thought that their place among God’s people assured them the Promised Land. Assuming themselves secure, they refused the life of self-discipline, self-denial, and obedience to God. Because of that, many were “disqualified” from entering the Promised Land.
The Israelites were baptized in that they shared the blessing and gracious deliverance of God. By their experience of passing through the Red Sea, they were united as followers of Moses. The cloud represented God’s presence and glory among them (Exodus 14:19-22), indicating his leadership and protection. The sea represented God’s salvation of his people through the Red Sea as they crossed safely to escape the Egyptians. All of the Israelites experienced this “baptism.” However, the common experience of this baptism did not keep most of them faithful to God in the days that followed.
Further miracles sustained the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness. God provided miraculous food in the form of “manna” that came from heaven (Exodus 16:4, 14-31). Miraculous water was obtained from a rock—a provision directly from God. Moses got water from a rock both at the beginning and at the end of Israel’s journey (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:2-13).
God had performed great miracles for his people, but most of them rebelled against God. The word “most” is actually an understatement; of the thousands who stood at the very edge of the Promised Land, only two men (Joshua and Caleb) had faith enough in God to enter (Numbers 14:5-12, 30). Because of their lack of faith, God caused the people to turn back from the land and wander for forty years in the wilderness. God destroyed them in the wilderness by causing them to wander until they died. This was God’s punishment on them for their disobedience and rebellion.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
What is it about us that we forget so easily what God has done for us? Why is it so easy for us to wander off the path? Become apathetic? Get lazy spiritually speaking? WHY??
I think it is because we have failed to introduce spiritual disciplines into our life. We have failed to build healthy spiritual habits - (daily bible reading, prayer life, serving in the church, sharing our faith, tithing, etc..)
We have failed to carry out James 1:22 (NIV) "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
Today, I'd like you to look back at your life since the first of the year. Why don't you make a list of all the things you can remember from the sermons you've heard, the bible passages you've read and then check to see how many of the things you heard and read were put into practice in your life.
I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course. Keep on keeping on.
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