1 Corinthians 10

Saturday, 27 September 2014

…all ate the same spiritual food, 1 Corinthians 10:3

Not only were those brought out at the exodus “baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,” but they also “ate the same spiritual food.” Again, Paul is showing that the food which sustained Israel is symbolic of the true spiritual food which we participate in when we receive the Lord’s Supper.

Exodus chapter 16 shows the first details concerning the giving of the manna (manna means “what is it?”). There is even a description of it as is recorded in Exodus 16:31 –

“And the house of Israel called its name Manna. And it was like white coriander seed, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.”

This “spiritual food” continued to sustain them for the entire time of their wilderness wanderings. Once Israel had crossed the Jordan, we read this in Joshua 5:10-12 –

“Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho. ¹¹ And they ate of the produce of the land on the day after the Passover, unleavened bread and parched grain, on the very same day. ¹² Then the manna ceased on the day after they had eaten the produce of the land; and the children of Israel no longer had manna, but they ate the food of the land of Canaan that year.”

The giving of the manna was never forgotten by the people of Israel and it is referred to at various times in both testaments of the Bible. Even the psalms, while recounting the wondrous deeds of God, remembered the manna which sustained Israel –

“Had rained down manna on them to eat,
And given them of the bread of heaven.
²⁵ Men ate angels’ food;
He sent them food to the full.” Psalm 78:24, 25

But, like all things of this nature, the physical reality of the manna pictured a spiritual truth. Jesus notes this in John 6:31-33 –

“Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” ³² Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'” John 6:31-33

The manna only anticipated the greater and true Bread from heaven, which is the body of the Lord Jesus. This then is what is pictured in the taking of communion, or the Lord’s Supper. It is a remembrance of the work of Christ, looking back on His cross until He comes again.

Life application: Taking communion at church has no meaning unless one has received Christ as Lord. Only when the heart is directed towards Christ does the meal take on any true significance. When you receive the elements, it should be done with a humble and grateful heart for the wondrous blessing of being included in the body of Christ.

Lord God, Israel had manna in the wilderness to sustain them for forty full years, but I know I have something much more wonderful. I have the true Bread of Life which came down from heaven to grant me eternal nourishment. I thank You for the honor and the pleasure of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and for the weekly blessing of sharing in the Lord’s Supper in anticipation of the day when He returns for His people. Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.

Friday, 26 September 2014

…all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 1 Corinthians 10:2

Paul, telling his readers at Corinth “that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,” now further explains this. In this exodus from Egypt which took place under the conditions he mentioned “all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” In other words, what they did is to be symbolically equated to what we have now done in Christ. The Israelites willingly followed Moses thus accepting him as their spiritual leader. They subjected themselves to the laws and ordinances that he gave to them and thus they were symbolically “baptized” as they were under the cloud and passing through the sea.

The same preposition which is used for baptism in Matthew 28:19 is used by Paul here. In this, we can see that those who are baptized into Christ are acknowledging an acceptance of His spiritual leadership and the laws and ordinances which He prescribes for us. The Old Testament is given in shadows and pictures of a greater reality found in Christ. God used little Israel for these pictures. We are brought out of Egypt (bondage to sin) through the work of Christ. We are baptized into this work, meaning His fulfilling the Law of Moses, and into His death and resurrection. Thus we are acknowledging His authority over us.

Paul will continue with his thoughts and then show that the external rites must be accompanied by a change in our hearts and lives.

Life application: The wondrous stories of the Old Testament are all given for a purpose. When we read them, our eyes should be open to their true fulfillment in Christ. Paul uses several examples, such as the exodus from Egypt, to show us that this is the case. Therefore, always consider this and ask the Bible questions about the meaning of passages as you read them. It will answer back with beauty and treasure.

Baptism without any change in one’s heart
Has no significance, no meaning at all
It should indicate a changed life and a fresh start
And it should only come after a person on Jesus does call

Abraham first believed the promises of God
Then he was counted as righteous in God’s sight
Only afterwards was he circumcised in the life he did trod
He already had shown that his heart was right

Baptism then is a sign for the believer
For the one who has first on the Lord Jesus called
Go get dunked after being a receiver
Of the Holy Spirit Who into Christ you He installed

Yes Lord ! Thank You for the grace You lavished on me, saving me through the faith I exercised in You. Now, help me to be obedient in all ways out of gratitude for the marvelous redemption which has ended all of my enmity with God. Through Your blood I am washed, purified, and acceptable; sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise for that wondrous day upon which I await! Amen.

Thursday, 25 September 2014

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 1 Corinthians 10:1

In beginning of chapter 10, Paul will refer back to the issue of chapter 8, food sacrificed to idols. However, he is also building upon the thought which he has been discussing at the end of chapter 9, that of striving for a crown and the conditioning that it required. And so he begins with “moreover.”

Many translators state “but” or “for” rather than “moreover” to either show a contrast to his previous words or a continuation of the argument rather than a new direction. Whichever is intended, he is addressing “brethren.” The words are given to believers in the church for their edification and growth. To these brethren, he gives a phrase which is intended to open their minds to a passage of Scripture in a new way. He says, “I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea.”

As he continues, it will become apparent that they are already aware of the exodus story. What Paul is making known to them is that there is a spiritual application to the story which is applicable to them (and thus to us) as believers. He will repeat the word “all” five times in the first four verses to highlight that what occurred included the entire body involved in the exodus. Despite that however, it wasn’t received by all in the same way.

It then is a spiritual warning and admonition that will apply to those in the church. Yes, all were “under the cloud.” This was the sign of God’s divine protection for the Israelites. The terminology was used, for example, by David in the 105th Psalm –

“He spread a cloud for a covering,
And fire to give light in the night.” Psalm 105:39

That “all passed through the sea” means that the entire body of Israel, along with the mixed multitude who went with them, marched through the waters of the Red Sea and to freedom from the bondage and oppression of Egypt.

Life application: Paul shows us that the stories found in the Old Testament have been given for our instruction. In all, they will always point us to a stronger relationship with Christ if we will use them as they are intended. Not only that, there are spiritual applications and pictures of future redemptive history which can be gleaned from these stories. As you read the Old Testament, always ask yourself, “How does this point to Christ Jesus?” In doing this, you will be pursuing Scripture as it was intended to be viewed.

Everyday, O God, I love to read Your word. I know that every story in it and every detail given was selected by You to lead me to know You and Your heart better. And I know that all of it is intended to show me the work of Jesus. Help me to grasp this as I open Your word each day and help me to understand the treasures You have tucked away there for us to see. Thank You for this immeasurable gift, the Holy Bible. Amen.