1 Corinthians 10:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea; ² and they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³ and they all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were spread out in the wilderness.”

Paul is going to warn the Corinthian believers that they could fall from grace, so he uses the example of the Israelites in the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The Israelites were baptized also, but in the cloud and the Red Sea. How is that? “Baptized” in Greek is baptizó: To baptize, to immerse, to dip. They had the cloud above them and the walls of the Red Sea on both sides of them as they passed through, so literally they were “immersed” in the cloud and the sea. The Israelites ate the manna in the wilderness, their “spiritual food”, just as the Corinthians ate Jesus, the bread of life. John 6:⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. ⁵⁰ This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Israelites drank the water from the rock which “followed them”. (AI) “The idea that a single rock followed the Israelites in the wilderness is an ancient Jewish interpretation of the Bible. In the Bible, Moses struck two rocks in the wilderness, one at Rephidim and one at Kadesh, and named both “Meribah”. Some ancient Jewish interpreters concluded that these two rocks were actually one and the same rock, and that it followed the Israelites as a portable water source.” That rock was Christ. Was Jesus in his pre-incarnate form actually in that rock, or is it just a type of how Jesus gave the water of life to the Corinthians? John 4:¹³ Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here is a picture of the “split rock at Horeb (Mt Sinai in Saudi Arabia east of the Gulf of Aqaba that some say could be the rock that water flowed from in the wilderness.

So the Israelites were blessed spiritually just as the saved Corinthians. God redeemed them from slavery in Egypt just as he redeemed the Corinthians by the blood of Jesus. “Nevertheless” (alla: but, rather, on the contrary), in spite of the blessings of God and His continual provision for them in the wilderness, they disobeyed God and God was not pleased with them. He punished them by making them wander in the wilderness for 40 years and. everyone 20 and older would die in the wilderness. There were about 1 1/2 million Israelites who came out of Egypt. According to Exodus 12:37 there were 600,000 fighting men (age 20 and older)who came out of Egypt. So probably the same number of women age 20 and older. So possible 600,000 husband and wives. If they just had one child, that’s 600,000 children. You can see why some estimate that there were over 2 million Isrealites who came out of Egypt. But that means that about 1.2 million men and women age 20 and older died in the wilderness. There were 1.2 million bodies scattered all over he wilderness during the 40 years they wandered.

On a side note, is there any archaeological evidence of the exodus from Egypt? Any evidence of the corpses for 1.2 million bodies in the Sinai wilderness? There is some evidence of chariot wheels found on the bottom of the Gulf of Aqaba where Israel crossed the Red Sea, but other than that there is no archaeological evidence. Here is a site (https://www.discovery.global/chariot-wheels-discovered-in-the-red-sea) that claims evidence of chariot wheels similar to those of the 18th century Egyptian dynasty, and human and horse bones in the Gulf of Aqaba, which means that the real location of Mt Sinai is east of the Gulf of Aqaba in Midian, which is now Saudi Arabia. Here is a site that discusses the real location of Mt Sinai east of the Gulf of aqaba. https://www.discovery.global/the-real-mount-sinai-in-saudi-arabia

Should we not find archaeological evidence for he 1.2 million bodies in the wilderness? Not necessarily so.. “The last stage of decomposition is skeletonization, which leaves behind nothing but, you guessed it, a skeleton. This can take anywhere from 1 month to several years, depending on the environment, burial, etc. You may be wondering: will a skeleton also decompose? The answer is yes. If animals do not destroy or move the bones, skeletons normally take around 20 years to dissolve in fertile soil. However, in sand or neutral soil, skeletons can remain intact for hundreds of years.” (From https://crimeclean-up.com/blog/human-decomp-without-embalming That’s just normal decomposition rates. If God can bring water from a rock and manna from heaven, then He can decompose bodies at any rate He chooses. But even with natural decomposition rates in a hot wilderness desert, the 1.2 million corpses could have completely decomposed and left no trace that they were ever even there. Just speculating!

Back to the real lesson in 1 Corinthians 10. The Israelites coming out of Egypt were saved from slavery, blessed with manna and water, protected by God. All they had to do was trust and obey God and they could in a short time have entered and possessed the Promised Land of Canaan. But they didn’t and God punished them with 40 years wandering in the wilderness and everyone 20 and older died. The Corinthians had been baptized, partaking of the spiritual manna of Jesus, drinking the water of eternal life. All they needed to do was trust and obey and they could enter the Messianic “rest” of Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. ² For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” It is fascinating that there is a parallel between the 40 years in the wilderness and the 40 years from 30-70 AD. 70AD and the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem would be a critical date for those believers living in this transition period from 30-70 AD. The Hebrew Christians were tempted to leave Christ and fall away as 70 AD approached. Hebrews 10:²⁴ and may we consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain [is], but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day (day of judgment in 70 AD) coming nigh. ²⁶ For we — willfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth — no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice, ²⁷ but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to (mello) devour the opposers.” The Hebrew writer is saying that there is “about to be” (mello) a judgment which could only refer to 70 AD judgment on the evil Jews. The Corinthian believers would most likely not have been caught in the siege of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD, but the event still had a significant impact on them. 1 Corinthians 15 tells how Christ would come at the “end” of the Jewish Age (70 AD), destroying spiritual death, and giving immortality to believers dead or allve. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:⁵¹ lo, I tell you a secret; we indeed shall not all sleep, and we all shall be changed; ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we — we shall be changed: ⁵³ for it behoveth this corruptible to put on incorruption, and this mortal to put on immortality; ⁵⁴ and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that hath been written, `The Death was swallowed up — to victory” So the Corinthian believers needed to remain faithful till they would receive their immortality at the 2nd coming in 70 AD.

Paul then gives several examples where Israel disobeyed God in the wilderness. The Corinthians would be tempted in the same way to disobey God. 1 Corinthians 10:⁶  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them. 

1) Idolatry and sexual immorality: The golden calf. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”  That would be the incident of the golden calf in Exodus 30:When Moses was up on Mt Sinai receiving the 10 commandments, the poople persuaded Aaron to make them a golden calf to worshp. Exodus 30:⁶ So the next day they got up early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to engage in lewd behavior.”

2) Sexual Immorality: The sin at Peor. ⁸ Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.” Balak, the king of Moab, had hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel as they passed through Moab on the way to Canaan. Balaam tried 4 times to curse Israel, but the Spirit each time blessed Israel through Moab. But Balaam got his money later. He counseled Balak to get the Israelites intermingling with the Moabites at Peor, which led to having sex with the Moabite women. God sent a plague among the Israelites which was only stopped when Phinehas rammed a spear through an Israelite man having sex with a Moabite woman brazenly in the camp. Numbers 25:⁷ When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, ⁸ and he went after the man of Israel into the inner room of the tent and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman, through the abdomen. So the plague on the sons of Israel was brought to a halt. ⁹ But those who died from the plague were twenty-four thousand in number.”

3) Complaining: The snakes and the bronze serpent. ⁹ Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes.” As they were passing around the land of Edom on the last leg to Canaan, even the new generation after the 40 years began to complain. Numbers 21:⁵ So the people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we are disgusted with this miserable food (i.e. the manna). ⁶ Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.” It was then that God told Moses to put the bronze serpent on a staff so that someone bitten could, if he had faith, look at the serpent and be healed. Jesus referred to this in John 3:¹⁴ And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.”

4) Grumbling: Korah’s rebellion. ¹⁰ Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer.” This incident would be Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16 (not the incident with the 12 spies as some have suggested). Korah, a Levite, and 250 leaders of Israel complained about the power God had given Moses and Aaron (especially the high priesthood given to Aaron and his sons). Numbers 16:²⁸ Then Moses said, “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these deeds; for it is not my doing. ²⁹ If these men die the death of all mankind, or if they suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. ³⁰ But if the Lord brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them with everything that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have been disrespectful to the Lord.” ³¹ And as he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; ³² and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, and all the people who belonged to Korah with all their possessions. ³³ So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. ³⁴ Then all Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth might swallow us!” ³⁵ Fire also came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.” But the grumbling mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:10 occurred on the next day. Numbers 16:⁴¹ But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord’s people (i.e. Korah, Dathan, Abiram and the 250 leaders)!” Because of their grumbling, God sent a plague among them. The plagued was only stopped when Aaron put incense from the table of incense in the tabernacle on his censer, making atonement for the people, and ran into the assembly, standing between the living and the dead. Numbers 16:⁴⁹ But those who died by the plague were 14,700 in number, besides those who died on account of Korah. ⁵⁰ Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, for the plague had been brought to a halt.” “The destroyer” of 1 Corinthians 10:11 would be the “angel of death”, the “destroying angel”, called Shammael by the Jews. This would be the same “angel of death” that destroyed the 185,000 Assyrians who were sieging Jerusalem in Hezekiah’s reign. 2 Kings 19:35 Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when the rest got up early in the morning, behold, all of the 185,000 were dead.”

The Warning. Paul then makes the application to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 10:¹¹ Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Complaining. Grumbling. These were the sins that caused Israel to fall. The Corinthians were guilty of the same sins as the letter constantly points out. The example of the Israelites was “written” for instructing the Corinthians (and any readers of the Old Testament). Thank God for his written word. Romans 15:⁴ For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The warning: 1 Corinthians 10:¹² Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall.”

Apparently the Corinthians were an arrogant group who did not think they could fall from grace. From AI: Yes, the Corinthian church, as depicted in Paul’s letters, exhibited traits of arrogance and pride, which were significant problems for the church’s health and unity. 

Evidence of Arrogance in the Corinthian Church:

Disregard for the Cross:The Corinthian church was tempted to embrace worldly philosophies and values, diminishing the importance of Christ’s crucifixion. 

Spiritual Superiority and Boasting:Some Corinthians boasted about their spiritual gifts and knowledge, creating divisions and factions within the church. 

Disregard for Paul’s Authority:Some questioned or even denied Paul’s authority as an apostle, indicating a lack of humility and respect. 

Sexual Immorality:The Corinthians were known for their tolerance of sexual immorality, even exceeding the norms of the surrounding pagan culture, which Paul condemned as a sign of spiritual immaturity. 

Legalistic Disputes:The church members engaged in lawsuits against each other, demonstrating a lack of love and a reliance on worldly legal systems instead of resolving conflicts within the church. 

Misuse of the Lord’s Supper:The Corinthians were criticized for their disorderly and uncaring participation in the Lord’s Supper, turning a sacred act into a social event. 

Emphasis on Human Wisdom:Some in the Corinthian church were more interested in human wisdom and philosophy than in the simplicity of the Gospel message, which Paul saw as a sign of spiritual immaturity. 

Am I guilty of arrogance and pride, thinking that I can’t fall? From David Guzik: “Temptation works like rocks in a harbor; when the tide is low, everybody sees the danger and avoids it. But Satan’s strategy in temptation is to raise the tide, and to cover over the dangers of temptation. Then he likes to crash you upon the covered rocks.” We staying in Tamarindo in Costa Rica for a few days. Our beach was a very rocky beach like the one below. When the tide was in, the sea covered all the sharp lava rocks and it looked like you could swim safely in the water. When the tide was out, you could see the dangerous rocks that would have dashed you into pieces if you had swam when the tide was in, when it looked safe.”

The Encouragement. 1 Corinthians 10:¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.“

After reading the example of the Israelite sins, I’m thinking, “I do those sins all the time! How am I going to keep from falling?” We see the temptations others face, but we tend to think that our temptation is worse or unique. Nope. Others have experienced the same temptation. But this verse sounds like God will not let you ever face a temptation that we would succumb to. But He is not doing a good job if that is the case since I give in to temptation often! But the truth is that, with enough faith and trusting God’s wisdom, I could handle every temptation I face without sinning. Satan would use temptation to totally destroy our faith and get us to fall if he was allowed to. But, as with Job, God put limits on how much he could test Job with. Job handled the loss of everything he had, including his children, and the terrible boils all over his body and the pain. But maybe there was some temptation or test that Job simply could not handle. God would not let Satan use that test. So I think there could be a temptation that God knows that, even with faith and trusting God’s wisdom, I could not handle. For example, if my 3 children, their mates, Deborah’s mother and brother and sister, and all 10 grandchildren died in a house fire at a party while I was on my way home from school, I don’t know if I could handle that like Job did. That might be my breaking point. God knows the breaking point of each believer. Maybe that’s Jesus’ prayer: “Lead us not into temptation”.

God will provide a way of escape.From Guzik: ” Barclay says the word for a way of escape is really a mountain pass, with the idea of an army being surrounded by the enemy, and then suddenly seeing an escape route to safety. Like a mountain pass, the way of escape isn’t necessarily an easy way.” But one must be looking for the way of escape. Then he must choose to run to the way of escape instead of just staying in the midst of the temptation. From Guzik: “At a market, a little boy standing by some candy looked like he was going to put some in his pocket and walk out the door. A clerk watched the boy for a long time, and finally spoke to him. “Looks like you’re trying to take some candy,” the clerk said. The boy replied, “You’re wrong, mister. I’m trying not to.” For the time being, he was able to bear it.”

1 Corinthians 10:¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” This verse leads into a temptation that the Corinthians were facing over the eating of meats, the weak/strong brother issue. So I will save the. rest of the chapter for future blog. But the “therefore” tells us that the last warning is tied to vs 1-13 and the bad examples of Israel in the wilderness. Apparently idolatry was the worst of the sins he cited. Idolatry might be the worst of sins in the church today. I close with these verses from Paul in Ephesians 5:³ But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; ⁴ and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Greed is idoltry b/c we end up worshipping the things we lust after.