1 Corinthians 10:5-10

Lost Though Rewarded

As Paul continues his discussion of their fall in the wilderness, he emphasizes self-control as he did in 9:27. Five times in the preceding verses he emphasized the participation of all in the blessings of deliverance. Then, he reminded the Corinthians that few received the reward (Deuteronomy 1:3138; Numbers 26:62-65). Their starting number had been 693,550 (Numbers 1:3; Numbers 2:32)! "Scattered" suggests the desert was strewn with their corpses (see Vine). On page 27 of The Gospel Plan of Salvation, T. W. Brents cites verses 5 through 12 and says, "We know not how the apostle could have given more conclusive proof that the number of the elect composing the Church of God at Corinth, was liable to be diminished by apostasy than is here given" (1 Corinthians 10:5).

The apostle indicated those serving under the law of Christ can learn from the mistakes of those Israelites. They lusted after the fleshpots of Egypt (Numbers 11:46; 3234). A desire to return to the old life and its sinful pleasures is thus condemned. Egypt equals the sinful life. Paul then makes reference to Exodus 32:1-35 where in connection with idolatrous worship they apparently danced and let their passions run wild. Anything placed before God is idolatrous (1 Corinthians 10:6-7).

Numbers 25:1-9 contains the record of the next incident mentioned by Paul. The number used by Paul may have been rounded down and Moses' number rounded up. Idolatrous worship often led to sexual immorality because it was a part of such worship among other nations. Allen says immorality follows rejection of God (Romans 1:18-32). The Israelites also tried God's patience. This was either through lack of trust (belief in his power and word; Acts 5:9; Acts 15:10; Hebrews 3:9), or by needlessly exposing themselves to danger (Matthew 4:7). Paul may have been referring to the incidents recorded in Numbers 21:46. There are two cases of murmuring done by the children of Israel (Numbers 14:12; Numbers 27:1-23; Numbers 28:1-31; Numbers 29:1-40; Numbers 16:41-49). God is never pleased with complaining (1 Corinthians 10:8-10).