January 28, 2014
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana). The greatest history lessons are those which instruct us to choose more wisely than those who have gone before us. Such are the great lessons to be learned from Bible history.
The apostle Paul takes us to history class in 1 Corinthians 10, and reminds us of some key mistakes made by the people of Israel. Disobedience resulted in an unnecessary forty-year wilderness journey. And yet, God provided miraculous food and drink for them during this time. "Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved." (1 Corinthians 10.5-6)
Applying he history lesson, Paul states: "Do not be idolaters, as some of them were ... Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer." (1 Corinthians 10.7-10). Poignantly driving the point home, Paul adds: "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." (1 Corinthians 10.11) Those who saw the abundant power and provision of Yahweh God somehow digressed to abominable practices of idolatry, immorality, testing, and grumbling. Arrogance and ingratitude seemed to have been pervading attitudes that contributed to their demise, and serve as warning lessons for us today.
Paul's history class is rich with lessons for us today. For starters, he reminds us that we are those "upon whom the ends of the ages have come." Extended as this period of time is, it is the last act of human history. We are those living under the final administration of God before the dawn of the kingdom of God on earth. It's imperative that we view life from that perspective. As we do so, it's important to face the challenges and temptations of this age: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who 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." (1 Corinthians 10.13). We are not immune to the mistakes of God's people in other times, but neither are we doomed to repeat their mistakes. Honestly and humbly facing our common temptations, and trusting our faithful Father, is crucial.
In many ways, there are unique challenges and issues that we face at this tumultuous time in history. And yet, underlying the issues are common and timeless temptations. May we be faithful, and faithful trust, as we seek to live victoriously.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book - https://www.createspace.com/4500045
The apostle Paul takes us to history class in 1 Corinthians 10, and reminds us of some key mistakes made by the people of Israel. Disobedience resulted in an unnecessary forty-year wilderness journey. And yet, God provided miraculous food and drink for them during this time. "Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved." (1 Corinthians 10.5-6)
Applying he history lesson, Paul states: "Do not be idolaters, as some of them were ... Nor let us act immorally, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor let us try the Lord, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer." (1 Corinthians 10.7-10). Poignantly driving the point home, Paul adds: "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." (1 Corinthians 10.11) Those who saw the abundant power and provision of Yahweh God somehow digressed to abominable practices of idolatry, immorality, testing, and grumbling. Arrogance and ingratitude seemed to have been pervading attitudes that contributed to their demise, and serve as warning lessons for us today.
Paul's history class is rich with lessons for us today. For starters, he reminds us that we are those "upon whom the ends of the ages have come." Extended as this period of time is, it is the last act of human history. We are those living under the final administration of God before the dawn of the kingdom of God on earth. It's imperative that we view life from that perspective. As we do so, it's important to face the challenges and temptations of this age: "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who 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." (1 Corinthians 10.13). We are not immune to the mistakes of God's people in other times, but neither are we doomed to repeat their mistakes. Honestly and humbly facing our common temptations, and trusting our faithful Father, is crucial.
In many ways, there are unique challenges and issues that we face at this tumultuous time in history. And yet, underlying the issues are common and timeless temptations. May we be faithful, and faithful trust, as we seek to live victoriously.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book - https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 8:50 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home