Why the Old Testament? [1 Corinthians 10]

 6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, "THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY." 8Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.


If you are in the habit of reading only the parts of scripture that make you feel comfortable and loved, you may avoid reading many of the books in the Old Testament.  I used to feel that the Old Testament left too many questions in my mind about God and how He worked in history so I read the Psalms, Proverbs, a few favorite chapters in Isaiah and the stories of the Biblical heros but mostly ignored the rest of God's words in the Old Testament.  Fifteen years ago I was challenged to really get to know the fullness of who God is by reading His love letter, the Bible, from start to finish.  In this new quest I was encouraged by Beth and others to not be afraid of my questions, to not get tangled up in trying to apply every account to my own life but instead to read, looking for God's character.  Ask questions like, "What is it about Your character, God, that You want me to know from this account?"  It wasn't comfortable and it threatened my own little concept of God and I started with fear and timidity.  But what a journey it became and how my eyes were opened!  I gladly began to repeat the process each year, and with each reading my eyes were opened further and I began to see the bigger picture of God's redemptive work.


Paul addresses those fears as he begins the chapter saying, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea."  He goes on to say that "all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ."  Did you know that Christ was with the Israelites in the desert?

These things were written for our instruction, "now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved."(v.6).  He repeats it again in verse 10, "Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come."  Why do we need to know about what happened to the fathers?  As an example to us what happens when we forget God.  To see what happens when we start worshiping something besides the God who provides spiritual food and drink.  We need to know how important is it to be aware of Jesus in our lives. 

We praise You, Father, for showing us how You worked in the lives of the fathers or our faith.  Thank You, Jesus, that Your offer of living water is not a new offer.  You are the same yesterday, today and forever.

 

For another blog on this chapter read: God is Faithful

 

Verna McCrillis, 6/9/2009
Feedback:
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