In chapter 8, Paul had taken up the topic of “things offered unto idols.” He had stressed the need for us not to use our freedom so as to offend another brother. The word offend means to trip up. The offence that Paul was particularly concerned about was encouraging someone to sin against their conscience. This could be done by a believer whose conscience was not offended by eating meat offered to idols openly eating the meat and arguing in favour of such a practice and so encouraging the weaker brother to do the same to the wounding of his conscience and his possible downfall. Paul felt free to eat such meat but would refrain from doing so if it offended a brother, 8:13.
Paul continues in this vein of personal testimony in Chapter 9. He shows how his whole ministry was built upon this principle of self-sacrifice for the sake of the people and cause of Christ. In chapter 10 he returns to the issue he began to deal with in chapter 8. He enlarges upon his warning against contact with the heathen and his feasts. There is a danger for the strongest believer when he comes into contact with the social activities of the unbeliever. Doubtless, in the letter Paul had received from the Corinthians, there was evidence of their confidence that they were in no danger of succumbing to ways of the heathen once again whenever they mingled with their friends and relations at pagan feasts. The issue was that of SEPARATION. Just how far should a Christian go in his contact with the worldling and his ways? Paul is here calling for the Corinthians to exercise the same restraint as he did, 9:27. In this chapter, Paul seeks to press home . . .
I. THE DANGER OF FALLING THAT ALL BELIEVERS FACE
He had expressed his own precautions, 9:27. Now, Paul illustrates this from Israel’s history, 1-4.
1. Israel was privileged with God’s presence and protection. Verse 1.
2. Israel was privileged with a spirit of dedication to Moses. Exodus 19:8, 24:3.
3. Israel was privileged with partaking of Christ the Bread and Water of life. Verses 3-4. The manna and the water from the rock symbolised that which they partook of spiritually. They were nourished and preserved. These blessings followed them, verse 4. The word means to accompany as an attendant.
Yet despite these privileges many of them fell very shortly after entering into them, verse 5. The generation that left Egypt, like a runner beginning a race, missed the prize of entering the promised land because they fell for want of self-denial. The only exceptions were Joshua and Caleb. They received the crown of entering the promised land.
None of us should be forgetful of this truth for the word ignorant, verse 1, means not to understand. The danger was that they would fail to sufficiently understand the meaning and significance of the experiences of Israel referred to. They who started off all blessed all but two perished, Heb 3:8-17.
The greatest blessings may end in the greatest judgments!
II. THE GROSSEST OF SINS HAVE VERY SMALL BEGINNINGS
1. These events just related are examples or types from which we should learn. This can only be true if God’s ways have not changed. We have to do with the same God as did Israel.
2. This wickedness began with a desire for that which was forbidden. The word lusted means to covet or to hunger after as a starving man would hunger after food, Luke 15:16, 16:21.
3. Though beginning with apparently innocent pursuits it ended in gross wickedness upon which the judgment of God fell. Verses 7-10. How vehemently these Israelites would have denied that they intended such sin when they first made the golden calf (Ex 32:25-28) or on the later occasion, when the feasted with the Moabites, Numbers 25:1-9. Likewise, of what little consequence would they have considered their murmuring and complaining yet severe judgments followed both, Num 21:6, 16:41-50.
The parallel today is when we complain and chafe against the restrictions set forth in God’s word and those who preach them.