1 Corinthians 10 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea, and all were immersed into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Messiah. But G_d was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert.” 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

Notice how Paul uses the images of the mikveh (immersion), matzo (unleavened bread) and the wine of Shabbat and the Passover seder to draw the comparison that faith in Yeshua aligns with Israel’s historical experience & national identity with G_d. He also highlights the fact that not all the Jewish people were allowed to experience deliverance in the days of Moses. Ultimately, Paul is putting-forth the idea that Israel’s mindset was bent on rejecting Messiah, long before Yeshua’s advent.

Those who are against sharing the gospel with Jewish people, based on the argument that G_d has “another plan” for them, should take special note of Paul’s remarks. Only the faithful remnant of Israel, (Joshua and Caleb)…were allowed to enter-in with the new generation. Because Joshua & Caleb believed, by faith, it was counted to them as righteousness.

Likewise, today, just because a person attends a Messianic congregation and has encountered worshipful moments there, does not mean they are “saved” by some collective experience. Each person must individually decide to follow Yeshua, in order to receive salvation.

“Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire evil as they did. Don’t become idolaters as some of them were; as it was written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play’. Let us not commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in a single day 23,00 people fell dead. Let us not tempt Messiah as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes. Nor should we complain as some of them did and were killed by the destroyer.” 1 Corinthians 10:6-10

Listed, are the ways the Bible says that Israel sinned against the L_rd in the desert, thereby disqualifying their deliverance: Idolatry, Sexual Immorality, Tempting Messiah (coaxing Him to perform for them), and Complaining against the L_rd. Do these sins sound familiar?

“Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. G_d is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

G_d has provided a way of escape for us: Yeshua! John 14:6; John 3:16

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Monday, September 9, 2013