Examples for us

Concerning 1 Corinthians 10, I have to wonder why it is so easily overlooked that Paul's admonition based upon the example of Israel is one of a society under law? I realize many think I take this whole law-perspective-thing way too far in an attempt to explain away these supposedly tough passages, but I say that to ignore such a directly-implied connection in Paul's writings only shows how little one understands the difference between the old and new covenants (and though I've heard it argued that Paul was not dealing with the law/grace issue in his letters to the Corinthians one would have to purposely determine not to see it in order to hold such an assumption).

For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

Their fathers being baptized into Moses is an identification with the Law, as the Law came through Moses while grace and truth were revealed in Christ. Those under law partook of the spiritual food and drink - which was Christ - but it was of no effect. The testimony of Christ was demanded through the history of Israel in stark contrast to their whole society, which is exactly what the 11th chapter of Hebrews revealed. Like bright beacons shining in total darkness were those oddities who walked by faith. This is the miraculous witness of the law and the prophets of the righteousness of faith, and this faith made absolutely no sense to those under law. I can only imagine that when the Hebrews received their letter the testimony of the miraculous life of Christ having been riddled through their own dark history blew them away. It had been happening the whole time. Funny thing, these were the ones who were often criticized and scoffed at in life, but honored in death. I think Jesus said something about that!

Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:8

Quite an understatement, I would think, since most turned out to be every single one of those who journeyed through the wilderness. Well, every one except Joshua and Caleb, that is. And what was different about those two? They were the only ones who believed God's promises about the promised land ... which presents some rather incredible odds (like about a million to one). Perhaps the real testimony of OT scripture has a lot more to say about the only true God-pleasing life there is, which is that of faith, which in fact is that of Christ.

So, let's not miss the underlying reality behind the example Paul presented, which is that what God can not be pleased with is the flesh ... and living under law produces the works of the flesh. For it was only through faith - a miraculous walking in a world that denies the very premise of true life itself - by which God is pleased. That only two out of a couple million believed God has nothing to do with some kind of exclusion on God's part but only to do with creating an unmistakeable testimony to the reality of LIFE in the midst of overwhelming deadness of standards (law) that would become etched into the conscience of Israel, as well as to all who had any contact with those under the law.

Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved. 1 Corinthians 10:6

In what conceivable way would these things be examples to those Corinthian believers Paul wrote to? As I have already mentioned, the example of those under law makes a compelling testimony to the only true life by the contrast. The detailing of things not to crave - their idolatry, their immorality, their trying of the Lord, their grumbling - were all things brought on in direct connection to the law. Consider the first:

Do 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." 1 Corinthians 10:7

Now, if you'll remember, this particular statement was recorded in Exodus 32, which just happened to be the time of Moses' absence while he was up on the mountain to receive the law. I'm sure it might be said that since Israel hadn't actually received the law at that time it doesn't apply, but I beg to differ. The truth is that the people had already been receiving direction and commands from God through Moses and the people had been grumbling and complaining about God's provisions and expectations all along the way.

'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the LORD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do!" And Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD. Exodus 19:5-8

More importantly, at this juncture Israel was camped out at the foot of the dreaded mountain of God. Yes, dreaded. There's a nice summary in Hebrews of the sense of fear and condemnation of this mountain that was the symbol of the law of God, but take a look at this description in Exodus.

The LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you and may also believe in you forever." Then Moses told the words of the people to the LORD. The LORD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments; and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. "You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, 'Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. 'No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether beast or man, he shall not live.' When the ram's horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain." So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. He said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman." So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder. The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go down, warn the people, so that they do not break through to the LORD to gaze, and many of them perish. "Also let the priests who come near to the LORD consecrate themselves, or else the LORD will break out against them." Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for You warned us, saying, 'Set bounds about the mountain and consecrate it.'" Then the LORD said to him, "Go down and come up again, you and Aaron with you; but do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, or He will break forth upon them." So Moses went down to the people and told them. Exodus 19:9-25

Pretty scary stuff, eh?

For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not bear the command, "IF EVEN A BEAST TOUCHES THE MOUNTAIN, IT WILL BE STONED." And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling." But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:18-24

So, Israel is camped out in full view of this horrific mountain with all its fire and smoke and gloom and whirlwinds, coupled with the commands not to touch the mountain under pain of death. And that applied even if one of their livestock happened to wander off into the mountain. And as they waited in anticipation of Moses, who would bring the words of God to which they had already committed themselves their already present fear of God and his words caused them to get antsy. So, here's what they did:

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, "Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." Exodus 32:1

They wanted Aaron to make them a replacement for God. Idolatry. What can we learn from this? Should be pretty obvious. Stand in fear of the law and the God of this law and you will be tempted to find a replacement. Christianity, as a religion, has done precisely that, for it runs to every new thing and every new principle instead of to Christ ... and this goes on all the while it holds to its doctrines of Christ. If you'll think on this you'll realize that the Christian religion has become the very same example to us in teaching us not to fall into this same idolatry!!

You wrote, "The testimony of Christ was demanded through the history of Israel in stark contrast to their whole society..." The word demand is an interesting choice of words to me and I kind of stumble over it. When I first hear the word it seems harsh, but I realize I am not catching what you're saying. Can you explain this more to me, as well as what you mean by the "society" of Israel? Tim

Hello, Tim! :)

Having difficulty with that word demand, eh? haha! :) Now, I need to find out why it sounds harsh to you as I'm not sure what you may mean by that. I could understand it sounding strong ... and maybe that's more what you're getting at? With all that Israel went through as a society - that is, as a people under God's law - there were many things demanded. Questions regarding the promise of God were etched into their societal structure ... questions that accumulated in all the writings of the prophets that made it more and more difficult for Israel to see how God could ever bring about his promised salvation of his people. The total failure of Israel in realizing the promised hope created a continual and growing insistence of the long-promised savior ... a savior that generations only recognized through rituals and songs, but not in reality. Christ was always the missing something that would finally make sense to their very society, a society that above all was supposed to be lovers of God and of each other. Christ put life into the dry bones so that they would truly live. Within all their laws and rituals and holy days and sacrifices and promises the testimony of Christ was demanded - that is, insisted upon - for their very fulfillment. For not only could Israel as a society not do what was required they were failing worse and worse with every new law added.

Also, am I understanding the whole of the article to mean that when one lives in the fear of God and His law that he more often than not reverts to rebellion, though he may think he is trying to please God? Tim

You indeed grasp far more than you may suspect. :)

Tagged on to the latter question is this. What does it mean that we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling? Tim

I have written an article about the fear and trembling passage.

what specifically do you mean by "Christian religion"? And how do we learn to detect it in our lives? Tim

The Christian religion is nothing more than a religious society that has built up under the umbrella of Christian principles and doctrine. Basically, it is a society of law that accuses and excuses itself by comparing and competing. It harps on love and faith but finds that unless it legislates the behaviors that should indicate such a reality they don't seem to happen (or perhaps I should say the behaviors that have come to be generally accepted as being a good substitute for that reality). It is so very much like Israel of the OT that it's scary!

How do we detect it? Simple, when we find we need to legislate and fabricate the reality of Christ in order for it to happen. When we see that with all our attempts at producing godliness in our lives that instead we only produce contention and strife and jealousy and hatred and fear and lies and deception and gossip, etc. It really is a no-brainer. It's that same simple distinction you mentioned regarding how you view Paul's admonition to Timothy to study as a workman While others might only see it in terms of law you only see it as an encouragement ... like a runner who excitedly anticipates hearing the gun that begins the race.

When Jesus spoke the words, "Love one another", to his disciples I picture them having heard a call that reverberated down into their very beings ... a call that spoke to a reality that had been lying dormant and only then begun to stir by his words. For all they had known before that time was the failure of their ancestors - as well as their present society - in ever hoping to see love as a reality ... only as a legislated suggestion that always ended up as religious self-righteousness that never really did any good to anybody. For in Jesus their beings were being awakened to the reality that would come to pass when he returned to them by the spirit of God. That whole evening they heard amazing words of a new reality because Jesus did in fact give to them a NEW command that had been for generations past demanded - but never produced - by the law.

For I give to you a new command, that you love one another. John 13:34

New, because Jesus was bringing the very life of God - who is love - into those who had only observed illusions of love.