39 v.30 - It is difficult to know why the translators have chosen to place so much emphasis on the phrase HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD, as they have here and in ch. 28:36, as this phrase in the Hebrew occurs a number of times in the book of Exodus - 28:35, 30:10,37, 31:15. There is a connection here with the Sabbath day too, which would be a lot more noticeable in the Hebrew. Ex.16:23, 35:2

40 v.15 - The priesthood was to be everlasting. In the short term this depended on it being passed from generation to generation - hence the comment in this verse. In the long term it spoke, presumably, of Jesus, even though he was not to become a priest after this order.

Chapter 39 - The description of the items of the furniture of the tabernacle that we have just read might seem unmanageable to remember. A useful tactic that we can use is to highlight the main topics in the chapters. For example
:2 Ephod
:8 Breastplate
:22 the robe
:27 Coats
:28 Mitre
:29 Girdle
:30 the plate of gold
Simply underlining these words will make the structure of the chapter obvious at a glance
The same can be done with the rest of the chapter. Of course you may see different or additional points to highlight. The important thing is that the marking you use should make sense to you.

40:17 informs us when the tabernacle was 'reared up' giving us an indication as to the length of time it was in preparation. Throughout Scripture there are dates given. We should note them as they provide a very useful frame onto which to fit the events being recorded.

39:33 In bringing the completed tabernacle to Moses we have a pattern of the ecclesia being presented to Christ (Ephesians 5:27)

40 - In all the detail of the erection of the tabernacle there is only one part whose use is actually described. (:31-32) describes the way in which the laver was used. It is a description of how things were done as an ongoing manner. Not just when the tabernacle was reared up.

39:42 It is interesting that we learn that it was ‘the children of Israel’ who made the tabernacle for in the chapters describing the manufacture of the parts of the tabernacle the recurring word is not ‘they’ but ‘he’. Doubtless the people did the work of building however Moses was the ‘architect’ so to speak. Rather like the ecclesia. Christ is the builder but we have to do the building.

40:35 In saying that Moses was not able to enter because of the could we are being shown that, in type, he could not dwell with God. The very structure where God would dwell highlighted Israel’s separation from God.

Exo 40:2  The precision of the work done together with its timing, to be ready for erection on "the first day of the first month", is typical of all the works of God. Though one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day, He is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness. The day which He has appointed when He will judge the world in righteousness in the person of the One whom He hath ordained will come with a like conformity to the divinely pre-ordained calendar. 

39:30 The phrase HOLINESS TO YAHWEH  was written as a notice, and emphasized, for all to see.  The notice about Christ follows the same idea Matt 27:37.

The veil was a covering for the ark Exo 40:3.  Inside the Most Holy Place was the symbol of Heaven, and had to be separate.  As soon as the Tabernacle was set up and in operation, then only the High Priest went in to where the ark was once a year, and then swinging the incense which probably obscured his view.  God's Most Holy Place was a secret.

39:43 As we read this final verse of chapter 39, it makes us wonder about our preparation in any involvement we have within the ecclesia. How thorough is our preparation? On this occasion a formal inspection was made on the completion of the tabernacle, to ascertain whether it corresponded with "the pattern". The result of a careful and minute survey showed that every board, curtain, alter, and vase had been most accurately made of the form, and in the place designed by the Divine Architect.

39:7     ‘upon his shoulders’ is the basis of bearing the burden of responsibility as Jesus will have the ‘government upon his shoulders’ Isa 9:6.

40:34-35            So having done all the work of building the tabernacle Moses is prevented from entering – even though he must have been in and out a number of times during the day whilst he erected it. This signified that Moses was not the one who would enter into the most holy place – that was reserved for the prophet like Moses, even Jesus Christ.

39:3 The gold would have been beaten with a hammer into thin plates, cut with scissors or some other instrument into long strips, then rounded into filaments or threads. We have read that cloth of golden tissue was not uncommon on the monuments, and specimens of it have been found rolled about mummies. this golden thread would have been inserted in the cloth by an embroiderer.

PREACH WHAT YOU PRACTICE
 
One of the things that would have made the high priest stand out as much as anything, were the bells that hung around the hem of his robe. "And they made bells of pure gold and attached them around the hem between the pomegranates. The bells and the pomegranates alternated around the hem of the robe to be worn for ministering, as the LORD commanded Moses." (Exo 39:25-26) As the high priest walked around, not only could he be seen because of his distinctive looking garments, but with every step he took, the bells would have tinkled, allowing us to hear him as well as see him.
 
We may live a life that shows God in every action we make. It may be that we love God and we love our neighbours and it shows in every aspect of our lives. But we also need to make sure that our faith is heard. Like bells around the hem of a garment, we should be like a sweet, gentle, inviting sound, rather than a great thunderclap of judgement.
 
So let's not only practice living a Christian life, but preach what we practice. Let's make sure that people are aware of what we stand for in both our actions and our words. And let us be a sweet and gentle invitation that makes others want to come to us, to come to Christ, and to follow his example - the example of the great high priest.

DISTANCED FROM GOD
 
Imagine having a front row seat on the east side of the tabernacle on the day it was set up. On a large bare patch of ground the golden bases for the tabernacle are set out, the frames are set into the bases, and one by one, curtains and coverings are spread over the tabernacle as it is covered in.
 
From where you are sitting you see the ark taken into the tent. This is the last time you will ever see the ark because it is almost immediately shielded by a curtain that blocks your view. The table, lampstand and altar of incense are placed in the tabernacle, and again, another curtain is put up, blocking your view for ever. Then the bronze altar and the basin are set out in front of the tabernacle, only to be removed from your sight once more by the curtains of the courtyard.
 
While seeing the tabernacle set up could have been a very joyous occasion, it could also have been one that resulted in you feeling left out as bit by bit your access to God was cut off, his holiness enhanced and our own sinfulness, unworthiness and separation from him recognised. God is holy and we must see him as separate from us, to be honoured and respected.
 
But in Christ, the way to God is no longer closed to our view. At his death the veil that separates us from God was torn in two, opening the way to him through our Messiah. Let us rejoice that we are no longer held back and forced off from God, but that we have been invited in through the blood of the Lamb.

39:43 So at last all the work was over, ad God reviewed it and was pleased with what He saw. We are His building. Will he be pleased with what he sees when Jesus returns?

The nature of Jesus' robe (John 19:23,24) is similar to that of Aaron's (39:23).

In the setting up of the tabernacle, the Ark is the 1st item to be put in place. As the representation of God's mercy seat, it was the focal point, and all else is secondary.

40:2   So the tabernacle was set up exactly one year after Israel left Egypt. As they arrived at Sinai three months after leaving Egypt - Exo 19:1 - we know that it took them no more than 9 months to make the tabernacle.

39:30 ‘Holiness to the Lord’ described the position of the high priest. All is life was dedicated to the service of God. This was the responsibility of the Nazarite and so the same phrase is used of the days of his separation – Num 6:8

40:36-38 Yahweh was with His people day and night, and He controlled their movements.  This should have been of immense spiritual comfort to Israel.  We too, have the presence of Yahweh in our daily lives, if we will let Him in.  He will also guide us if we take Him into our confidence (Prov 3:5,6).

40:31 The washing of the hands and the feet marked the cleansing for work. The hands for service and the feet for movement in the work of God.

We know from reading in the new testament book of Hebrews that these things Moses made were just "symbolic for the present time" (Heb 10:9-10). The people of Israel weren't yet able to appreciate the necessity for holiness and purity in the worship of God, so the tabernacle and furnishings were devised as a means of teaching them these things. Even though we don't have the tabernacle we still have to learn the same things. We can't just dream up our own image of God and worship that. We have to regularly approach God by reading the Bible and humble prayer, so that we learn who He is and what attitude pleases Him. For us it is much easier than for the children of Israel, because we can learn about Jesus, who embodied perfectly the attitude and character that is acceptable to God (John 14:7-9).

40:33 In saying that Moses ‘finished the work’ we are being given an insight into what Jesus meant when he said – John 17:4– that he had finished the work that God had given him.  

GUIDED BY GOD

The Israelites would not move a step in their wilderness journey unless God told them to. "In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out - until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the Tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels." (Exo 40:36-38)

It was only with the direct guidance of God that Israel would make any moves in the travel toward the Promised Land. Imagine if they had gone off and done their own thing, deciding that this or that route was nicer. They would have moved away from their water supply; from the manna and quail that kept them alive; they would have wandered into areas full of scorpions, snakes or other enemies. But God led them in right paths and in the best ways so that his people would get safely into the Promised Land.

Is God any less interested in us, in our journey through life as we head toward his kingdom? No! Is he still willing to guide our paths through life? Of course he is!

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."(Prov 3:5-6)

Let us go the right way through life toward the kingdom of God by asking and allowing God to guide our ways in every decision we need to take.

39:10-13      Notice the first stone “named” is “sardius” and the last stone named is “jasper”. In Rev 4:3 these two stones are mentioned as part of a description of the glorified Jesus. However the order of the stones is reversed.  The first is last and the last first. An indication of what Jesus taught his disciples –Matt 19:30

40:18  The record says that ‘Moses’ reared up the tabernacle. Doubtless he did not do it on his own. Maybe he did not actually do any of the physical work required. However in saying that it was Moses that reared it up we see it was achieved by the word of Moses, not the word of the priesthood.

40:36-37   It might seem a simple description of what it was that determined when Israel moved in the wilderness. However a significant spiritual lesson is being taught. Israel was to learn that their lives were ruled by God. God was taking them from slavery to freedom in the land He had promised to their fathers. 

40:3-9       Notice the repetition of “thou” Despite the fact that others had made the tabernacle and all its furniture it was the responsibility of Moses to arrange it according to God’s command. We must all work to build up the house of God – the family of believers. However Jesus is the one who is supervising it all. He is the one who will finish the house of God and present it to himself – Eph 5:25-27.

MONOTONOUS TASKS

I am sure there were no great flashes of inspiration that happened when people were moulding silver base after silver base, or twisting together fine linen for hour after hour, day after day, or tying together seemingly endless rings between curtains. It was all hard work, and most people wouldn't have even given it a thought.

It can be the same for us. The twenty-four hour days bringing up a family, long lengths of time spent in prayer, attending church every week, un-noticed kindnesses for multitudes of people, or the garden produce shared with neighbours could seem like hard work with very little reward.

The people that made the parts for the tabernacle didn't give up. They persisted in what they were doing until the very end. We need to do the same. No matter what job we have been given by our God, we need to carry it on until it is completed.

Listen to these words that record the completion of the tabernacle in the wilderness: "And so Moses finished the work. Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." (Exo 40:34). When the work was finished it was filled with the glory of the LORD. When our work is done, no matter how tedious it may seem, God will also fill us with his glory.

So keep at it. Don't give up. Your reward will come when the work is finished.

39:30 The wonderful description of the “plate of the holy crown” having the words “holiness to the Lord” is not just a pleasant phrase. It describes  total commitment to God. We see this –Zech 14:20 – being used of even bells on horses. This indicates a time when everything will give glory to God.

40:17  The first time the tabernacle was taken down was 50 days later – Num 10:11

40:17 So now the tabernacle was set up the work of consecrating it and then consecrating the sons of Aaron for the work could begin. Up to this point the system of worship described at Sinai could not be implemented. Surely, then, a time of great rejoicing.

Exo 40:17 The tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month of the second year. Therefore the work in building the Tabernacle took no more than 9 months. Israel were at the foot of Mount Sinai when the Law and instruction for building the Tabernacle. There are 50 days between Exodus 40 verses 35 and 36. The Tabernacle remained in this first location for 50 days (Num.10:11-12) before the cloud was taken up signalling the wanderings of the children of Israel were to begin.  In our journeying to the Kingdom of God we must be watchful and be guided day by day by the Scriptures of Truth.

40:34Only a short while later it is recorded that the glory of God was seen in the tabernacle – Num 14:21 – but on that occasion it was hardly a time of rejoicing. It was because the nation did not believe what God had promised them.

39:24 The pomegranate represents the temples of a person’s head: “thy temples are like a piece of a pomegranate within thy locks” (Song 4:3). The temples enclose the mind so it seems the pomegranate can refer to "the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16).

40:19-32 notice the repeated phrase “as the Lord commanded Moses” Whilst we would have expected that things would have bene done according to the Divine instruction the point is made, repeatedly. This is to teach us the importance of following His instructions.

39:8 The names of the tribes were already on the shoulder of the high priest - :7 signifying responsibility for caring for the tribes. But now we see the same names on the breastplate – on the heart of the high priest. There is more to caring for the nation than just meeting their needs. It involves the heart – the emotions – of the high priest.

In like manner Jesus cares for his believers. Do we see caring for fellow believers as simply a duty or is it something that our emotions are involved in?

40:17 In setting up the tabernacle on the 1^st day of the 1^st month at God’s instruction time was allowed for everything to be in place for the 14^th day of the 1^st month so that the passover could be keep according to the ordinance of God.

Planning was essential. In this there are lessons for us. Are events such as the breaking of bread or any other activities involving fellow believers already in our calendar to that nothing ever take precedence over those things? Or do we rush around at the last minute and sometimes find that we have planned other things that displace those planned events? Or maybe we rush to get ourselves ready just in time, or even a few minutes late?

40:36-38 it is fitting that, when the tabernacle was erected, we are told about the cloud even though this is spoken of elsewhere – Numbers 9:17 etc.

God moved with His people giving them direction and focus in their lives.

Whilst we do not have a literal cloud to direct us the words of scripture instruct us as to how we should live and organise our lives.

This Psalm claims to give advice to those who are overwhelmed by affliction (Title), as described in v.1-11. What an apt and vivid description of the human frame and how low you can get, and we know that David got this low himself many times in his life. Here was what he did. He made the contrast between his frailty and God's everlasting power (v.12) He lifted himself up by thinking of the covenant - which led, of course, to Jesus and the kingdom (v.13-22).

Psalm 102 This Psalm - which is a prayer of 'complaint' - see the title - may have been spoken by Hezekiah when he was sick and had been told he was going to die (2 Kings 20:1) Here is a table to the verbal links between the Psalm and the prophecy of Isaiah - Isaiah prophesied in the reign of Hezekiah.

v.14 - At one level, the stones of Zion must refer to us. We are those living stones of the temple - 1Pet.2:5. So we should take pleasure in each other then - Not always easy - but something to work on!

:16 In focusing on the Lord building Zion Hezekiah now sees beyond his own personal problems - that he was going to die - to the greatness of God's plan. We should, in our prayers, move from thinking about our own problems to the greatness of the Father's land for us. In this was our prayers will be less self centred and more God centred.

:16 The appearance of God in glory will be seen in the return of the risen Christ (Colossians 3:4)

If ever we have been depressed or felt overwhelmed in life this Psalm is for us. Reading the Psalm should help us to understand that we can pour out our hearts to our God.

Psalm 102  A prayer for relief of personal affliction and the continuance of life. The writer however recognizes that The LORD shall endure for ever.V.12

The writer of this psalm (David, Hezekiah?) seems to be suffering personally.  The psalm could also be a reference to the suffering of the Jewish captives nearing the end of their sojourn in Babylon. In any case, it is easy to complain and lash out when in pain.  If we find ourselves in such a predicament, let us remember that it is a trial set before us.  If we believe that Yahweh is a partner in our lives, then we are assured that He is aware of our situation (Psa 103:14).  We can also be assured that He will not give us anything that we cannot handle (1Cor 10:13).  Let us maintain faith and wait for the mercy of Yahweh (v.13).

God laid the foundation of the earth (Psa 102:25-28). He planned the days of creation, and completed the work. God was able to see us long before we were born, and He completely understand us. Therefore, as the last verse says, if we are His servants, He will establish us.

102      As you read through the Psalm look for the personal pronouns ‘I’, ‘me’, ‘my’ which demonstrates the personal nature of the Psalm.

102:11 The ‘shadow that declineth’ is like Hezekiah’s experience – Isa 38:10 – when he had been reprieved by God in answer to his prayer.

102:12 The enduring nature of God, when contrasted with the transient nature of man which the Psalmist has been talking about, provides the basis for the confidence of the Psalmist that God will care for him.

SECURITY IN CHANGE

If everything goes normally and I live out my seventy or so years, I am over half way through life. Yet it feels in many ways as if I have just begun. The middle aged men and women I knew as a child are now old, and the generation above them have all gone. The older we get, the more we realise that life is short and only temporary at best. Not only do people change and grow older, but everything around us constantly changes. What permanence do we have to hold on to?

The psalmist made an interesting comparison when he said, "My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, O LORD, sit enthroned for ever; your renown endures through all generations." (Psa 102:11-12) There is nothing permanent we can hold on to in this life apart from God. No matter what else grows old or changes, the LORD will always be there. It is only in the LORD that we have security and something stable to hold on to in a world that always changes. When we put our trust in the LORD we need never be moved by anything that goes on around us.

102 Notice the shift in focus in the Psalm. Verses :1-11 shows the Psalmist focusing upon his own problems. Verses :12-28 shows the Psalmist focusing upon God’s greatness. It is the realisation of God’s greatness which is the resolution of the Psalmist’s problem. Maybe if we can look beyond our own problems to the vat purpose of God we might see our own problems in their true perspective.

Vs. 25-27 These verses are repeated by the writer to the Hebrews as he refers to Jesus (Heb 1:10-12).

102:3 The Psalmists (Hezekiah’s) feeling that his ‘bones re burned’ contrasts powerfully with how Hezekiah, and other faithful believers, will feel when Christ returns as seen in Isa 66:14

102:2    The Psalmist’s concern was eventually fulfilled in Israel’s experience on at least one occasion – Isa 1:15 -  because of the nation’s sinfulness and unwillingness to listen to God.

Heavens and the earth: Key to prophetic scripture

If we look at what is repeated in this Psalm, we get the impression the Psalm is about Zion. See v13,16,21. If this is the case, then this chapter can be used as a prophetic "key" to the rest of scripture, because, if this is talking about Zion/Jerusalem, then the heavens and earth in v25-26 must be speaking about this too. Lets see if it fits:

102:17  The ‘destitute’ in the context of the Psalm may well have been Hezekiah who thought he was going to die childless. Now Hezekiah was not destitute in the sense that we normally think of being destitute – he was a prosperous king of Judah. However his focus was not on material things but the continuance of the throne of David.

1. Psa 102:2 - "in the day when I call, answer me speedily" (Luke 22:41-43).

2. Psa 102:5 - "my bones cleave to my skin" (Psa 22:17).

3. Psa 102:8 - "Mine enemies reproach me all the way" - Ultimately their hatred led them to demand Christ's crucifixion).

4. Psa 102:10 - "Because of thine indignation and thy wrath" (perhaps refers to the heavy burden Christ bore for mankind - Isa 53:5-6).

5. Psa 102:15 - The King of the Jews to become the King of the world (Rev 11:15;Isa 24:23;26:9).

6. Psa 102:17 - God hears the prayers of the destitute.

7. Psa 102:22 - "the kingdoms, to serve the Lord" - Jew and Gentile will serve the Lord in the millenial day of rest.

8. Psa 102:27 - "thy years shall have no end" - the state of immortality.

102:24   The prayer “take me not away in the midst of my days” actually happened to Jesus as prophesied in Dan 9:27.

102:28 The “children” who will “continue” are the children of the promise to David – his house. Psa 89:36develops the promise of 2Sam 7 and speaks of the children continuing. 

102:4     Have we ever been so distracted that we forgo eating? Maybe some of us have. If we have we can truly appreciate the Psalmist’s feelings. If not maybe we could understand his feelings better is we had spoken in depth with someone who has suffered greatly.

102:3   If we wonder what the Psalmist if feeling we can get some idea by looking at the similar phrase in Job 30:30where Job speaks of his feelings.

102:4  That the wicked are like grass that is soon destroyed is seen in a number of Psalms. Here are some Psa 37:2, 90:5-6, 129:6

102:20 We have previously linked this Psalm with the time of Hezekiah. So the comment about those appointed to death could be both a comment about his impending death – 2Kin 20:1 -  or the consequences of an Assyrian invasion of Jerusalem

102      Whilst it is not suggested necessarily that Hezekiah wrote this Psalm there are some striking similarities between Isaiah 38 and the Psalm.

Hezekiah had bene told he was going to die so was distresses, as was the Psalmist. So it is probable that the Psalm expressed Hezekiah’s feelings at this time.

102:16 Appearing in glory speak of Jesus being established  - Isa 60:1 –a passage which the New Testament applies to the risen Jesus.

102:2 When our life is going smoothly we might pray to God and wait for the answer. However when we are in a desperate situation a short delay will seem like an age, or even as if God has not heard our prayer. We should try and be aware that our God will heard our prayer whether we are having an easy or difficult life and will answer according to His good time. If we doubt that we think like this consider how, when you are expecting an item through the post or via a courier that you are in expectation but when not the passages of the postman or the courier driver is of little consequence to us.

102 Title. Do we think it acceptable to “pour out our complaint” to God? This is what the Psalmist is doing. But notice his focus. Against the background of his complaint about his sorry state he appeals to God not to forget him ( 102:2) recognising the eternal nature of God ( 102:12) and the transient nature of this world (102:25-27).  We may “complain” to God but we should put our circumstances into His perspective, recognising He has a bigger plan than our lives and is gracious in His willing ness to include us in that greater plan.

102:11 Do we think of our life as a declining shadow? I suspect I did not in the vigour of youth but maybe now I am older I can see the likeness.

Our declining strength and vigour speaks to us of our mortality -  and reminds us of the time when that frailty will be removed at the resurrection.

102:13 The “afflicted” is an individual. Suggestion that it is Hezekiah during his illness when the Assyrians were besieging Jerusalem. Whilst Hezekiah prayed that he would recover – 2Chron 32:24- notice here his focus is not on himself but on Zion on which God would show mercy. Even in our depths our focus should be on God and His plan.

v.33 - This 'unselfish' attitude is one that Paul is inspired to deal with quite a lot. That we, like Jesus, might not seek our own profit, or even pleasure, but the profit of many - this is our work - not to please ourselves, but to preach to others, and so lead them to the hope of eternal life. v.24, 9:19-23, Rom.15:2,3, 2Cor.11:28,29, 12:19

:23 In quoting what he wrote earlier 6:20 Paul is using Biblical examples from the wilderness journey to demonstrate the truth of the point that he made in 6:20.

Israel's experiences in the wilderness were a parable of life Psa 78:2 - look at the rest of the Psalm.  Paul is making use of this 'parable' by quoting specific incidents.

1Cor 10:1 The phrase "That all our fathers were under the cloud" is better rendered in the Greek as " our fathers were all under the cloud" this gives the "ALL" its proper emphasis. Five times the "ALL" is repeated. 

Some claim that vs.4,9 show the pre-existence of Christ.  It is not possible to exist before one's own birth (notwithstanding the Trinitarian's false view that Christ is God).

V.4 The Rock, from which poured life-giving water (Num 20:8), was symbolic of Christ (John 4:10-14).

V.9 The bronze serpent exemplified Christ as it was lifted up on the pole (cross).  Through focusing on it, in faith, the power of sin (bites of serpents) could be overcome (Num 21:8,9).
 
V.13 Yahweh may set trials to prove us, but He knows our capabilities and exacts the right amount of pressure (see my note on Ps. 102).
 
V.25 Food offered to idols was sold in the public market (shambles KJV).  Paul is saying just to view it as food, to buy it and not to ask questions as to its purpose.  Then the conscience will be clear.  The same thing applies if invited to dinner by a stranger.  Eat whatever is given with a clear conscience without asking questions (v.27). However, if informed by a host that it was food offered to idols, Paul advises to decline it.  Thus, the belief in Yahweh, and not in idols, is publicly declared. 

10:8  Paul says that 23,000 died in the plague whereas the historical record – Num 25:9– says it was 24,000. The resolution is not found in arguing that there is a scribal error with the numbers. The resolution is in the detail of what Paul and Numbers say. Paul says ‘in one day’ whereas Numbers gives the total who died in the plague without limiting the time period.

There are 5 “all” in 1Cor 10:1-4, then 5 examples quoted in 1Cor 10:6-11. If 5 is the number of grace, and we are saved by grace, then these examples are indeed for our admonition, (or putting into our mind). All 5 illustrations are from the wilderness journey, and all show us that despite being isolated from other nations, there was still evil in the heart of Israel. Paul’s summary is that those of us who think we are able to stand, should take heed lest we fall (1Cor 10:12).

There are 5 “all” in 1Cor 10:1-4, then 5 examples quoted in 1Cor 10:6-11. If 5 is the number of grace, and we are saved by grace, then these examples are indeed for our admonition, (or putting into our mind). All 5 illustrations are from the wilderness journey, and all show us that despite being isolated from other nations, there was still evil in the heart of Israel. Paul’s summary is that those of us who think we are able to stand, should take heed lest we fall (1Cor 10:12).

10:12 The point hardly needs making – or maybe it does – we are all liable to fall in the same way as Israel did in the different ways in the wilderness journey which is a pattern of our lives

V.16 The first thing Paul uses as an example was lusting after the things of the flesh. They pined for the fish, cucumbers, and garlic of Egypt which they had left (Num 11:4-5). These are included in the "evil things," not that they are so in themselves, but they became so to the Israelites, when they lusted after what God with held, and they were discontented with what God provided. 

10:11  Doubtless there were more things that happened in the wilderness than are recorded. This highlights the fact that what was recorded was not simply for the benefit of those who experienced the events. God, selectively, recorded things which would benefit us.

10:13 Whilst what we experience in our daily lives is common to all men –not just to believers there is a difference between believers and unbelievers. For believers this life is an empty experience. For the believer God is involved controlling the events that happen with an objective in mind. That objective is the development in the mind of the believer a reflection of Jesus. It is up to the believer to respond to this work of God. Paul calls it ‘chastening’ in Heb 12:5-11

V.2 being baptized into Moses meant into the covenant which he mediated. Those who were thus covenanted were obliged to keep the Law. Likewise, the true followers of Christ are baptized into Him, as the mediator of the New Covenant. They are obliged to keep the laws of Christ.

V.4 The Rock produced water to the people in the desert. But, that Rock followed them. How is that possible? It appears that the Rock, here, is a metonymy for the water which sustained the people on their wilderness journey. The Rock describes Yahweh as Israel’s Savior (Psa 95:1). Yahweh gave His Son, Jesus to be the Savior of the world (Acts 4:12). Jesus is available to all. People only have to partake of the water of life which pours from this living Rock (John 7:38).

V.13 This is comforting when we meet the trials that will inevitably confront those who serve Yahweh.

V.32 An offence is really a sin against Yahweh. Therefore, we should not be the cause of anyone's stumbling so as to commit sin. This kind of offence should never be confused with the modern definition of offence as a feeling of annoyance or resentment. However, as people of peace, we should still endeavour not to upset people on any level, if we can avoid it.

Paul uses the same verse in Psalm 24 to prove two opposite sides to an argument. How's that possible? In v25 he says "eat whatever", quoting in v26 "the earth is the LORD's and all its fullness" from Psa 24:1. Then in v28 "do not eat" again quoting Psa 24:1. Let's look at the Psalm.

In Psa 24:3-4 David says that those who have clean hands and a pure heart and have not lifted up their soul to an idol will stand in the holy place before God. So checking out the context of the Psalm (as always) gives us the answer. Paul isn't concerned with whether we eat or don't eat, but with the conscience - just as God is not concerned with the idol but with whether the heart and conscience have been taken over by it. The heart (or mind) is where God wishes to dwell, and He won't share that place with any rival (Deut 6:4-9, Exo 20:3-5).

10:6 That these things ‘were our examples’ highlights the point that whilst at a practical level our lives are very different from Israel in the wilderness we are subject to exactly the same temptations. This should force us to realise that however pleasant this life seems to be it is in reality a wilderness where, without God’s direction’ we will perish.

10:13   It is not just a nice thing to say that God does not tempt us above what we can bear. However it is not just a nice verse. It is a reality. The God who called us seeks our salvation, not our destruction.

THE WAY OUT

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 our so that you can stand up under it."(1Cor 10:13)

I wish I didn't, but I still find myself in the trap of temptation, and deciding, against my better judgement, to do the wrong thing. Something thing I have learned to do more recently is to look for the way of escape from the temptation. If the verse we read about temptation is true, then every temptation is accompanied by some way of escape. Temptations might be hard to resist (that's what makes them tempting), but while we are in them, we need to stand back for a moment from being consumed by them, and look for the way out.

The way out may be as simple as a prayer asking God for the strength to do his will and to remove the temptation. It may mean finding the courage or strength to stop doing whatever it is you do. It could be that a Bible verse to give you strength needs to be engaged in our brains. Or it could mean breaking a friendship, moving, or making yet another attempt to restore a broken relationship. Whatever it is, let's look for the way out that has been provided, and take it, whatever the cost. The price of sin is so much more expensive.

10:30  So even though – previous verse – we should take account of the feelings of others Paul is saying that the one who took exception to his acceptable behaviour is the one with the problem.

1Cor 10:24

"Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth."

E.W. Bullinger in Figures of Speech Used in the Bible supplies the ellipses: "Let no man seek his own (advantage only), but every man that of his neighbour (also)...Compare verse 33, where the word 'profit' is used. The R.V. supplies 'good.' "

10:14   In speaking of the need to “flee from idolatry” Paul is echoing what he has already said – 1Cor 6:18 – where he counsels them to “flee fornication” whilst we might think the two things are different it is clear from here and what Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 6 that they are closely related.

1Cor 10:16,17.

10:7   by quoting Exo 32:6 we are shown that the way Israel behaved when Aaron made the golden calf was totally unacceptable, However we should examine what their motivation was as this will instruct us about what we should not do.  When Aaron made the golden calf Israel treated it as if it was God – encouraged to think this because of Aaron’s words.  The people tried to give their wrong behaviour an aura of being right by pretending that they were worshipping God. We need to be totally honest in our behaviour. We must avoid the temptation to try and justify things we do which are unacceptable. 

10:16 This is the second of three occasions when Paul draws attention to the remembrance of the lord’s death as a basis as a way in which the Corinthians were to measure their behaviour. The others are 1Cor 5:7 and , 1Cor 11:23-25. How often do we reflect on the memorial meeting and remembering Jesus’ death other than when we actually  keep that memorial service?

10:7    Those who ate and drank and rose up to play, whilst being like those who made the golden calf, are also like Esau – Gen 25:34 – who counted his birthright as of little consequence. This was the way those in Corinth were behaving.

10:29  the “other” here is the person who invited you to the feast. In telling you that the meat had been offered to an idol may well have been an attempt to compromise the invited brother. We should always take account of how others might construe our actions of words.

10:33 Paul was able to please all men because he did not elevate himself or his plans above other people. 1Pet 5:5teaches how we should be.

10:23    Edifying the body of believers should be our first thought. Such a way of thinking should be in everything we say and do both inside and outside the group of believers we share time with.

10:31 Is glorifying God the driving force in everything we do? We would be a more harmonious group of believers if we could attain to this objective.

10:14  an example of one fleeing idolatry was Joseph when he fled from the presence of Potiphar’s wife – Gen 39:12– rather than turn away from a faithful worshipping of his God

10:16 Notice that Paul wrote of the “cup of blessing” and “communion” immediately after writing about idolatry. Fellowship with Christ and fleshly practices are incompatible. Our relationship with Christ – the ability to remember his death and resurrection – is challenged by unacceptable behaviour.

10:13 that “God is faithful” when we consider the challenges we might come across in life is quite a telling point. We might feel that the temptation to err is so great that we cannot help ourselves. However God’s faithfulness means that we can never reason that we are too weak to deal with the issue.

He knows what He is doing and we should accept that.

10:21 this is one of a number of times in the New Testament where the “last supper” is spoken of. Notice that on all occasions, including those in the gospels, speak of “the cup”.

Is this our focus when we remember Jesus?