Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after the evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Corinthians 10:6
From the time that Jacob moved his family and flocks into Egypt in response to Joseph’s invitation until his descendents departed for the promised land, the Israelites dwelt among the Egyptians and learned many of their ways. So when they were making their way through the wilderness, those Israelites carried a great deal of baggage from their years of bondage. To some extent, they would have kept at least a nominal adherence to the direction of the patriarchs concerning the God who Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob served. But all around them were Egyptians with their lack of appreciation for God. The Egyptians had no restrictions on immoral behaviour, or dishonesty, or other things that would be a shame to those professing to belong to God. Much of the Egyptians’ ungodly lifestyles rubbed off on the Israelites. Even when they were making their way through the desert toward Canaan, they remembered the things of Egypt, and found it a struggle to forget them. They were much like the Lord’s people today in that regard.
Like the Israelites, we have been delivered from a hard taskmaster and face a glorious future. Also like the Iraelites, we have a past, a life among the ungodly, a time when we knew little about God and appreciated Him even less. And the devil loves to use the background of our unsaved days to tempt us to walk unworthy of our heavenly calling. But as our text reminds us, we have the example of the Israelites to remind us that we are wise to forget about the unprofitable past and to simply follow our Lord.
Israelites suffered much for their disobedience and for their backsliding. So will we, unless we learn from their mistakes. Usually we pay a steep price when we disobey the Lord or when we leave Him out of our plans. When we are like the Israelites who longed for the cucumbers and melons of Egypt, we lose sight of all the wonderful blessings that our Lord has for us. Like the Israelites, going back to our former slavery is impossible. But if we dwell on the things of our old life, we lose the appreciation of the freedom that God’s salvation has brought us.
The Israelites learned their lessons at great costs. We can eliminate those costs by learning from their example. -Jim MacIntosh