There is a famous saying that goes something like this - “Those who don’t learn from history are condemned to repeat it.” This is true, not only in society in general, but also in our personal lives, as well. Military generals will study military history to hopefully not make the same critical mistakes other generals of the past did. Politicians would do well if they learned from both the good and bad actions of their predecessors. The examples of our parents, grandparents, and older siblings can guide us either for the good or the bad. Our Scripture for today instructs us to look at the examples of those in the past and learn from their mistakes so that we won’t fall into the sins and problems that they did.
St. Paul was writing to the believers at the church in Corinth, which he had established several years earlier. He wanted them to learn from the example of the Israelites from the years of their wandering in the wilderness. The Israelites had made many mistakes in their walk with the Lord, and Paul was concerned that the Corinthians would not make these same mistakes, and end up in a sinful pitfall that would be difficult to get out of.
He begins by reminding his readers that the Israelites had experienced many blessings and miracles from the hand of God (vs. 1-5). The Lord had parted the Red Sea for them to cross, had led them with a pillar of cloud through the desert, and had provided them with food and drink. All of this had shown His great love and care for His people. However, that did not mean that they were immune from His judgment if and when they fell into sin. The same could happen to the Corinthians if they didn't learn from the past. They may be saved, and thus God’s children, but they could still be punished for their sins, as we can, too.
Paul continues, and reminds the Corinthian church of some of the sins that the Israelites fell into while in the wilderness. The first was lust and idolatry (vs. 6-7). The Israelites fell into these sins when they created the Golden Calf, which they proceeded to worship, and then fell into sexual sin (Exodus 32:1-6). The second was even more occurrences of sexual immorality (vs. 8). This occurred when some of the Israelite men got involved with Moabite women who led them into sinful immorality and idolatry (Numbers 25:1-9). Another sin that the Israelites fell into was testing God and then grumbling against Him (vs. 9-10). There were several examples of when God needed to bring judgment on those who continually grumbled, murmured, and complained against Him (Numbers 21:4-9; Numbers 14:26-30). Are you a whining, grumbling, and complaining type of person? God is not happy with that. He brought punishment to the children of Israel for such behavior. The warning here in God’s Word shows how serious these sins are, and how important our need for holiness and obedience is.
Paul concludes this Scripture passage with some words of hope (vs. 11-13). He reminds us that temptations are common to everyone, and they are not insurmountable. God will provide His children with a way of escape when faced with temptation, either to endure it or overcome them (vs. 13). He provided these examples all throughout the Bible in order to teach us not to follow their example, and so as not to fall into similar sin (vs. 11).
Temptation’s power lies in the desire to have what is being offered. However, it doesn’t actually deliver the promised goods. It deceives us. It offers one thing, but delivers another. The bait on the hook looks good until you take it. Giving in to temptation only increases the sinful desires. It is important not to think that we could never fall. Everyone has the potential to give in to temptation over and over again. However, as Christians, we are free to say “no” to those temptations.
There is some misunderstanding among some Christians about verse 13. The saying that is common among some Christians, that “God won’t give you more than you can handle”, is a mistaken misinterpretation of this verse. That saying is not Scriptural or in the Bible. Verse 13 is referring to temptations. God often gives us more stress, pressures, trials, and difficulties than we can handle, if we are trying to handle them on our own (II Corinthians 1:8-9). God does that so that we learn not to rely on ourselves, but instead on Him.
In closing, let’s be sure to examine our lives for any sins that mirror those of the Israelites. We also should remember to trust in God, especially during times of temptation, while we actively seek a way of escape from that temptation. As believers, we are called to be vigilant, faithful, and depending on God, while we live lives that reflect His holiness, and avoid taking His grace for granted.
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