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The Acts of the Apostles
followed their transgressions. He reminded them of the miraculous
way in which the Hebrews were led from Egypt under the protection of
the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Thus they were safely
conducted through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians, essaying to cross
in like manner, were all drowned. By these acts God had acknowledged
Israel as His church. They “did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did
all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock
that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” The Hebrews, in all
their travels, had Christ as a leader. The smitten rock typified Christ,
who was to be wounded for men’s transgressions, that the stream of
salvation might flow to all.
Notwithstanding the favor that God showed to the Hebrews, yet
because of their lust for the luxuries left behind in Egypt, and because
of their sin and rebellion, the judgments of God came upon them. The
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apostle enjoined the Corinthian believers to heed the lesson contained
in Israel’s experience. “Now these things were our examples,” he
declared, “to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they
also lusted.” He showed how love of ease and pleasure had prepared
the way for sins that called forth the signal vengeance of God. It was
when the children of Israel sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to
play, that they threw off the fear of God, which they had felt as they
listened to the giving of the law; and, making a golden calf to represent
God, they worshiped it. And it was after enjoying a luxurious feast
connected with the worship of Baalpeor, that many of the Hebrews
fell through licentiousness. The anger of God was aroused, and at His
command “three and twenty thousand” were slain by the plague in one
day.
The apostle adjured the Corinthians, “Let him that thinketh he
standeth take heed lest he fall.” Should they become boastful and self-
confident, neglecting to watch and pray, they would fall into grievous
sin, calling down upon themselves the wrath of God. Yet Paul would
not have them yield to despondency or discouragement. He gave them
the assurance: “God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Paul urged his brethren to ask themselves what influence their
words and deeds would have upon others and to do nothing, however
innocent in itself, that would seem to sanction idolatry or offend the
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