Ramblings on What We Share: Evil and Temptation

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did —and were killed by the destroying angel.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.                I Corinthians 10:1-13

What a blessing it is to sit here and read how Paul opens up the annals of history for the Christian. If you’ve ever asked why it is important to read the Old Testament, he tells you – to learn from its example. Christianity builds on the history of a people who often failed by succumbing to the evil that surrounded them.

But the wonder of Israel’s history Paul also makes clear – they were never alone. Christ was always with them…

…making a way where there was no way,

…making food where there was no food,

…making drink where there was no water.

He had to have been there in order to be rejected, tested and grumbled against. His path of mankind’s mistreatment began generations before he hung on the cross. Yet, He still offers us a way out – what an undying love!