Reading… and Thinking

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. … Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

— 1 Corinthians 10:6-13 (ESV)

We’ve just finished reading Exodus (that is, if you are following the reading plan this blog is based on). And so we’ve been reading about some of “these things” that Paul is talking about here in 1 Corinthians, that is, the rebellious actions of Israel in the wilderness. They kept on breaking away, and they kept on suffering for it. Paul says they are examples for us.

Actually, the word he uses is stronger than “example”. It literally means a stamp or die, and is the origin of the English word “type”. A type is a parable or allegory, provided in advance. It has a precise symbolic meaning, whereas an example is something that illustrates, but might not be exact. So Paul says that Israel’s behavior in the wilderness was a type of us! That is, it’s a prophecy of us, and when we read the story we should put ourselves in their place.

Well, that’s not very flattering! We would like to think of ourselves as smarter, more faithful, less stubbornly rebellious. But people are people. They had the pillar of cloud and fire as evidence of God’s presence – they’re without excuse. But, we have the resurrected Christ! In many ways, we have more than they had, to keep us faithful, including far more revelation, and a lot of fulfilled prophecy. But we fail, just like they did.

The point of Paul’s exhortation is that we should pay attention to what happened in the wilderness, learn from their mistakes, and avoid making them ourselves. He says the temptations will be the same – everybody faces the same temptations. The details and circumstances vary, but the basics never change: people trust in their own intelligence instead of trusting God, they serve their appetites, they crave power, they crave possessions. (Wait. What am I saying “they” for? It’s us! It’s me!)

Paul says that God will always provide a way of escape. Part of His provision is the instruction we get in the Bible, the examples of men and women who have gone before – both the faithful and the faithless. If we fail to pay attention and learn the lesson, we’re pretty well doomed to repeat their mistakes. If you think you’re in good shape, standing firm, watch out! “Take heed, lest you fall.”