Lessons From the Israelites

In 1 Corinthians 10, the Apostle Paul urges us not to be ignorant (v. 1) about what happened to the Israelites when they were led out of Egypt. Why does he urge this? Because the Israelites were very similar to people who profess the name of Christ--people like you. These Israelites were "baptized" (v. 3) and "drank" the spiritual drink from the rock of Christ (v. 4). However, God was not pleased with most of them and so they perished (v. 5). The question arises, then, is God pleased with YOU? This study will help you examine yourself so that you do not follow their example of perishing despite the "spiritual" things that you have done. "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (v. 12).

I. The Israelites as Warnings and Examples

Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-13.

Are you ignorant of what happened to the Israelites? See especially v.1.
How are you like the Israelites?
Why is it important and even necessary that you know about the Israelites? See especially v. 6, 11-12. See also Romans 15:4.

II. A Summary From the Book of Psalms

Read Psalm 106. You may want to read it several times before you continue.

How does this Psalm illustrate God's love, anger, and judgment?
Do you see a pattern in the Israelites' behaviors and attitudes?
As you read through Psalm 106, take note of all the good things the Israelites did. Then take note of all the bad things that they did.

III. The Red Sea

Read Psalm 106:7-13 and Exodus 13:17-15:27

Note first of all, that the Lord has a plan for the Israelites. He only places them in situations that they are ready for. For example, he did not lead them toward war at first so that they would not get too frightened (Ex. 13:17-18). This agrees with 1 Cor. 10:13--God will never allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.
Shortly after witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 2-12), the people lost hope and faith (Ex. 14:10-12). Note also that the people witnessed God's continual presence with their eyes (Ex. 13:21-22) and they still were frightened.

Do you trust God when you are afraid? When you are sick?

According to Psalm 106, the people believed God's promises and sang praises to him (v. 12), but then soon forgot him (v. 13). Note that just three days after they crossed through the Red Sea (an awesome miracle), the people grumbled (Ex. 15:22-24).

Do hardships cause you to grumble?
How often do you remember the Lord and His Word? (See Psalm 1:2 and Deut. 6:5-12)

IV. Cravings in the Desert

Read Psalm 106:14-15 and Numbers 11

Soon after fire from the Lord consumed some people who complained (Num. 11:1-2), people began to crave other food (Num. 11:4-9). People from every family (v. 10) were involved in the complaint against what the Lord already was providing. The Lord miraculously provided manna, but the people grew tired of the Lord's blessing! So how does this apply to you?

Do you complain about the food the Lord provides for you?
Do you complain about the weather that the Lord provides on certain days?

What was the Lord's ultimate punishment for the complainers? What does this tell you about how serious God viewed their offense? What does this reveal about God's character?

V. Rebellion in the Camp

Read Psalm 106:16-18 and Numbers 16.

Why did the people rebel against Moses?
What was God's response? What was Moses' response?
How does Numbers 16:26 fit with 2 Corinthians 6:14-18?
Notice that the next day after the Lord caused the earth to open up and swallow Korah and his followers, the whole Israelite community grumbled again! (v. 41).

VI. The Golden Calf

Read Psalm 106:19-23 and Exodus 20:1-21, Exodus 24, and Exodus 32.

In Exodus 20:1-21, the Lord gave the Ten Commandments and the people witnessed the majesty of God. Their response was one of fear. They were so afraid of God that they asked Moses to listen to God's voice and relay what He said. Then in Exodus 24, the people pledged to obey all that the Lord commanded which, of course, included the 2^nd commandment (Ex. 20:4-6). And then Moses went up the mountain and was gone for 40 days (Ex. 24:18). The people's fear and awe of God somehow melted away in those forty days, for when they saw that Moses was gone for what they perceived as such a "long time", they indulged in pagan revelry. They did not wait for God's counsel (Ps. 106:13).

How/why did the Israelites so quickly turn away from God?
Read Exodus 32:5. Notice that Aaron said that there would be a festival to the LORD even though they were worshipping the calf. People usually do not physically bow down to statues, but they do put other things before God while still claiming to worship God supremely--this is idolatry. What things have you noticed that people put above God in their lives? What things, if any, do you put before God?

VII. Phinehas

Read Psalm 106:28-31 and Numbers 25:1-18.

What caused the people to commit such a great sin?
What punishment did God bring upon the people for their sin?
What did Phinehas do that was "credited to him as righteousness for endless generations to come" (Ps. 106:31)?

VIII. Waters of Meribah

Read Psalm 106:32-33 and Numbers 20:1-13.

What circumstances caused the Israelites to complain? Under what circumstances are you tempted to complain or feel discontent?
What was Moses' and Aaron's response?
Notice the consequences for Moses in Num. 20:12. What does this tell you about how carefully God wants us to follow Him?

IX. Mingling with Other Peoples

Read Psalm 106:34-43 and Judges 2:1-3:6.

Why did the Lord command that the Israelites destroy those who lived near them in the land? (See Psalm 106:34 and Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
Did Israel obey the Lord? What were the results?
Notice that God predicted that the people would rebel (Deut. 31:16-18).

What did God say he would do when the people rebelled?
Compare Deuteronomy 31:6 and Deuteronomy 31:17. What is God's condition for never leaving his people?

X. How can we stop ourselves from doing what the Israelites did?

First of all, we need to believe the Bible. If God said that all of what happened to the Israelites was written down as warnings for us then we better be careful so that we don't fall (1 Cor. 10:11-12). Below are a few things that we can do to help us remain faithful to God.

Visual Reminders: read Deuteronomy 6:4-15, Exodus 13:9, and Numbers 15:37-41.
Read the Bible: read Deuteronomy 31:9-13, 17:18-20, Psalm 119:9, 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Think and Talk about the Lord: read Colossians 3:16-17, Psalm 1:2, Deuteronomy 6:4-15.
Be careful how we live: Ephesians 5:15 and Deuteronomy 8:10-20.

XI. Punishment for sin

People often say that God was more "strict" in the Old Testament. Many people seem to think, "Well, God dealt that way with the Israelites but he would never deal that way with me because I am under his grace." Is this consistent with what the Bible says? No. The Bible emphasizes that if people disobeyed the law in the Old Testament, how much MORE do they deserve to be punished when they disobey the Son of God. Some Scriptures to study from the book of Hebrews regarding this are Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:1-4:13; 10:26-39; 12:18-29.

"All these events happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close. If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin. But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it" (1 Corinthians 10:11-13, NLT).

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