Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - EXAMPLES

                 

EXAMPLES

One of the features of the Bible is that it not only relates history but that the history it does relate is often allegorical in nature. In other words, there is often a second meaning behind the actual words that have been written. This was recognized years ago and commented upon by Clement of Alexandria when he inferred that beyond the literal rendering of the text there are other meanings that need to be discovered.

One example of this is the story of the confinement of the Israelites in Egypt and their subsequent journey through the desert to the promised land. As it states in 1 Corinthians:

I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, 

all passed through the sea,

all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea… 

(10:1-2)

All of this is referring to the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt and their subsequent deliverance. They were led by the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night and passed through the sea as it was parted by God; such being considered a form of baptism.

[A]ll ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink.

(1 Corinthians 10:3-4) 

This is referring to the manna from heaven, feeding those being delivered, and to the water that came from the rock that Moses struck as mentioned in Numbers 29:11. But this in turn also referred to Christ. We read that Christ is in fact the “bread of life” (John 6:35) and “the fountain of living water” (Jeremiah 2:13). Christ also stated that “the water I shall give him will never [allow him to] thirst”(John 4:14) 

But in spite of the food that God provided, the water that came from the rock, and the guidance that was given both day and night, most of those Israelites who were delivered protested and complained. 

But with many of them God was not well pleased… 

(1 Corinthians 10:5 KJV)

This was primarily because they did not show any gratitude or thankfulness for what God had given them but:

 

…sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play… 

(1 Corinthians 10:7)

This actually was a form of idolatry as it further states:

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, 

The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 

(1 Corinthians 10:7 KVJ)

So, because of this idolatry and lack of gratitude on the part of the Israelites, the displeasure of God caused…

…their bodies [to be] scattered in the wilderness. 

(1 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV)

Therefore, that in spite of what they had experienced spiritually and had received as blessings, most never received what God had in store for them. 

The carcasses of you who have complained against Me 

shall fall in this wilderness… 

(Numbers 14:29)

And this, according to Paul, was an example to the church at Corinth as to ourselves:

Now these things became our examples, 

to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 

(1 Corinthians 10:6)

As Clark stated: “It seems as if the Corinthians had supposed that their being made partakers of the ordinances of the Gospel, such as baptism and the Lord’s Supper, would secure their salvation, notwithstanding, they might be found partaking of idolatrous feasts; as long, at least, as they considered an idol to be nothing in the world."*

We may be in the same position if we also only believe that an idol is something that is overtly worshipped and not really anything which can take the place of God in our lives. The history of the Israelites was an example to the Corinthians, and also to ourselves, as to how we should conduct our lives.

And it should give us all something to think about. 

*Clarke, Adam "Clarke's Commentary: The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments with a Commentary and Critical Notes" Volume 6 (Romans-Revelation) (New York: Eaton and Mains, 1832)