“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, 2 and all of them were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was the Christ. 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the desert. 6 These things happened as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil things, as they did. 7 And do not become idolaters, as some of them did, as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to revel.” 8 Let us not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell within a single day. 9 Let us not test Christ as some of them did, and suffered death by serpents. 10 Do not grumble as some of them did, and suffered death by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall. 13 No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”
Christians are spiritual descendants of the Israelites and are susceptible to the same temptations as their ancestors. The Israelites were followers of Moses and all crossed the Red Sea (Ex. 14:21-22), and all were protected by the Pillar of Cloud (Ex. 13:21-22), but Christians are united to Christ with a higher bond by Baptism. The Israelites all ate Manna in the desert (Ex. 16:4-15) which foreshadowed the Body of Christ, and all drank from a spiritual rock (Ex. 17:1-7). Rabbinic legend turned the rock into a stream that followed the Israelites which was Christ as God the Son. Those events are examples of what followers of Christ should not do. Paul recounted the historical events of the Exodus to demonstrate that even those called by God who enjoyed His blessings and provisions can be condemned for their disobedience and lack of fidelity to God (Num. 14:26-38).
Just as some of the Israelites had become idolaters and some indulged in sexual immorality and were punished (Num. 25:1-9), some of the Corinthians still participated in pagan cult meals, so Paul warned them against becoming idolaters. They must avoid immorality and putting Christ to the test as the Israelites did in the desert when God afflicted some of them with poisonous serpents (Num. 21:5-6). Some of the Israelites complained against God and died (Num. 14:29-37).
Some of the Corinthians considered themselves spiritually strong and secure, but Paul warned that they must be vigilant, humble, and aware of the trials that befall every human being so as not to fall into sin. God is faithful but will allow trials but never a trial that is greater than they can bear. They have not yet endured severe trials, but God always provides a way out or provides the strength to endure the trial.
Almighty God, our journey through life mirrors the journey of the Israelites through the desert. Feed us with the bread of life which heals and strengthens us on our journey. Never let us be tried beyond what we can bear. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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