Look, Listen, And Live

Live

Even though they were baptized (in the cloud and sea), and enjoyed the provision spiritual food and drink, and Christ was was present with them - most of them failed did not please God and they died before they reached the promised land.

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
1 Corinthians 10:1–5 (NKJV)

We should remember that though we are saved, baptized, participant in the Lord's Supper (and enjoy God's provisions of ordinary food and drink), and Christ is present with them - that we still must choose to do those things that are pleasing to God.

Listen

The Israelites in the wilderness fell to many temptations and suffered greatly for them.They desired evil things and it cost them greatly:

• They committed idolatry (Ex 32)
• They committed sexual immorality and many died (Num 25)
• They tempted Christ and were destroyed by serpents (Num 21)
• They complained and were destroyed by plague (Num 14)

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
1 Corinthians 10:6–11 (NKJV)

Those Old Testament believers serve as examples and their stories are recorded as instructions for us. God's people in the last days can learn a lot from God's people in the earliest days.

Look

Because these things things happened so seemingly easy to the Israelites, we should look hard at ourselves that we do not fall to the same temptations. The temptations that they faced back then were the same as in Paul's day and as in our day.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:12–13 (NKJV)

We will face temptation. But no temptation is overwhelming. We can choose to trust Christ and escape its snares.