January 9, 2005

SO RUN THAT YE MAY WIN

1 Corinthians 10:1-15

   How did Israel run their race? He wrote that"all were under the cloud...all passed through the (Red) sea...all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and the sea...all ate the same spiritual food...and all drank the same spiritual drink...But with most of them God was not well pleased." Only two gained the prize and entered the promised land of Canaan and most were "overthrown in the wilder-ness" (10:1-5). "Because of unbelief" they did not enter (Heb. 3:16).

   They all enjoyed the privileges of redemption from the bondage of Egypt, the spiritual food and drink of manna and water provided daily by God, clothes and shoes that lasted without wear. Yet they tempted God and lost the prize. "These things were our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted."

      Neither be idolaters, and were some of them...

      Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed...

      Neither let us tempt the Lord, as some of them tempted...

      Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer...

   "Now all these things happened (literal history) unto them for examples (typical) and they are written for our admonition (spiritual) on whom the ends of the ages are come (dispensational) (10:6-11).

   What is the lesson? Have we not heard some say, "I would not have taken advantage of my brother like Jacob to get his birthright,@ or, "I would not have murmured about the manna as did Israel," etc.? "Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (10:12). No trial has come on us but such as are common to men. God can be trusted to not allow us to be tested beyond our power to bear, but will with the trial provide the way out so we are able to endure. "Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak unto wise men, judge ye what I say" (10:13-15). How are we running today?

Ivan L. Burgener