What Old Testament events relate to the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:9? Opening the Text: 1 Corinthians 10:9 “We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.” The Old Testament Thread Paul Is Pulling Paul’s warning reaches straight back to Israel’s wilderness wanderings, when the people repeatedly “tested” the LORD—Christ in His pre-incarnate presence among them (1 Corinthians 10:4). The clearest parallel involves two connected incidents: • Numbers 21:4-9 – Fiery serpents • Exodus 17:1-7 – Massah and Meribah Event #1: Fiery Serpents in the Wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) • Israel grows impatient, speaks “against God and against Moses.” • Complaints: “No bread… no water… we detest this wretched manna!” (v. 5). • “The LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many… died.” (v. 6). • The people repent; Moses prays; God provides a bronze serpent on a pole—whoever looks lives (vv. 7-9). • Paul’s point: grumbling + testing God ⇒ immediate judgment. Event #2: Testing at Massah and Meribah (Exodus 17:1-7) • No water leads to quarreling. • Moses: “Why do you test the LORD?” (v. 2). • Place named Massah (“testing”) & Meribah (“quarreling”). • Later warning: “Do not test the LORD your God as you did at Massah.” (Deuteronomy 6:16; cf. Psalm 95:8-9). Echoes and Reinforcements • Psalm 78:18 – “They willfully tested God, demanding the food they craved.” • Psalm 106:13-15 – “They soon forgot His works… He gave them what they asked but sent a wasting disease.” • Numbers 11:1-34 – Complaints over hardship and quail bring fire and plague. Paul gathers these threads to show that testing God—pushing His patience, demanding proofs, despising His provision—always draws swift discipline. Why the Serpent Incident Stands Front and Center • Snakes in 1 Corinthians 10:9 unmistakably signal Numbers 21. • The bronze serpent foreshadows Christ lifted up (John 3:14-15). Rejecting God’s provision then parallels rejecting Christ now. • Paul therefore says, in effect, “You have the greater Provision—do not repeat their contempt.” Living Lessons • Christ was with Israel; He is with us. • Complaining hearts, even over daily necessities, can cross the line into testing God. • Divine faithfulness never excuses human presumption. • The same God who judged by serpents now offers life through the crucified, risen Savior—look and live. |
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