1Corinthians 10:5-10 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur you, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
‘Overthrown’ – slain (10:8-10; Num. 11:1-3, 34; 14:16, 29-35, 37; 16:32, 35, 49).
‘Our examples’ – Six bad examples in Scripture: Canaanites (Lev. 18:2-3; 20:23); backslidden Israel (2Chron. 30:7; Isa. 8:11; Jer. 16:12; 17:1-2; Ezek. 20:18; Hos. 4:9; Zech. 1:4); an angry man (Pro. 22:24-25); Pharisees (Matt. 23:1-3); Gentiles (Eph. 4:17); Israel in the wilderness (1Cor. 10:6-11).
‘Examples’ [Greek: tupos] types. Same word as ensamples (10:11). The punishments inflicted upon Israel will be inflicted upon Christians if they backslide and sin after the example of Israel (Rom. 2:11-16; Heb. 4:1-11; 10:26-29).
Five major sins of Israel: Lust for evil things (10:6; Num. 11:4-15; Ps. 106:14; cp. Gal. 5:19-21; 2Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 1:29-32; Col. 3:5-10; Mark 7:19-21). Idolatry (6:9; 10:7; Ex. 32:6-25; cp. Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5). Fornication (6:9-11; 10:8; Num. 25:1-9; cp. Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5). Tempting God and Christ (10:9; Ex. 17:2, 7; Num. 14:22; 21:4-10; Deut. 6:16; Ps. 78:17-18, 41, 56; 95:8-9; 106:14). Murmuring (10:10; Ex. 15:24; 16:2-12; 17:3; Num. 14:2, 27-29, 36; 16:11, 41; 17:5, 10; Deut. 1:27; cp. Php. 2:14).
‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ Quoted from Exodus 32:6. Six religious activities of Israel: Making preparation for worship (Ex. 32:1-4). Proclamation of worship (Ex. 32:5). Gathered for worship (Ex. 32:6). Offerings burnt and peace offerings. Eating and drinking the sacrifices and drink offerings. Singing, dancing, shouting (Ex. 32:17-19) and all ‘parties’ was unlawful (1Pet. 4:2-4).
Some of these activities could be lawfully carried on in worship to God, but not to idols. This shows that outward manifestations of worship, sacrifices of gold and other valuables, shouting, dancing, and singing in themselves are no proof of a spiritual experience with God (2Tim. 3:5).
‘Play’ – Idolatrous festivities: “Play” is from the Hebrew: tsachaq, “to laugh outright in merriment or scorn; to sport; mock; play the whore.” It is translated “play” (Ex. 32:6; cp. Gen. 38:24; Lev. 21:9; Deut. 22:21; Jdg. 19:2; Jer. 3:1-8; Ezek. 16:15-16, 28, 41; 23:5, 19, 44); “mock” (Gen. 19:14; 21:9; 39:14-17); “sport” (Gen. 26:8; Jdg. 16:25); and “laugh” (Gen. 17:17; 18:12-15; 21:6). “Play” is used of fornication in all the above passages and mock is connected with it in Genesis 39:14. All idol gods had consecrated women devoted to immoral practices, just as women today partake in immorally acts in the way they act, dress or behave. To be continued…
Living the Word 