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CONTROLLED FREEDOM

The Example of Israel and Religious Idolatry

1 Corinthians chapter 10 and 11:1

The bad example of Israel

The People of Israel were baptised:

1. In Moses, signifying their union under his authority (Moses brought the people out of Egypt, and is a figure of Christ).
2. In the sea: the Red Sea separated them from Egypt (figure of the world) to a new life free from the bondage of Pharaoh, in the Promised Land (new life).
3. In the cloud: the cloud represented the presence of God, who ruled the people.

All the people ate of the same spiritual meat (the manna given by God miraculously) and a spiritual drink (water that miraculously came out of the rock). The Bible teaches us that both the manna and the rock are symbols of Christ, and it is He who gives the Holy Spirit to all who believe in him, symbolized by water.

However, God was not pleased with most of the people, because they wished to do evil, and they died in the desert. So the people of Israel set a bad example for the Christian, which should not be imitated. Their misdeeds were:

1. Practising idolatry. God must be put first and only He should receive worship.
2. Practicing sexual immorality. The body must be kept pure, because it belongs to God and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
3. Tempting Christ. The Christian should be obedient to Christ during his life, without trying to challenge Him on anything.
4. Discontent and rebellion. Obedience must be complete, receiving everything from God with thanksgiving, even what we consider to be trials and tribulations.

The punishment which came upon the people of Israel as a result of the evil they did is a warning to us. It is necessary to maintain constant vigilance not to fall: it is human to be tempted to do evil, but however strong the temptation, God empowers us to bear it.

 

 

Religious idolatry

The Christian must flee from religious idolatry. Participating with others in a tribute indicates agreement with the object of homage, as we see in the following examples:

1. A Christian shows his communion in the blood and body of Christ by participating with others in the cup of blessing and the bread that is broken at the Lord's Supper.
2. In Israel those who served in the temple ate the sacrifices, thus partaking of the altar.
3. Participating in a pagan festival by eating food offered to an idol, signifies communion with the idol.

The idol itself is nothing, so it does not matter that something is offered to it. But the sacrifice made by the Gentiles is made to demons, not God, and a Christian should not participate with demons: he cannot partake of the Lord’s Table and also of the pagan feast, because this would be an irritation, or provocation, to the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knowing the fact that the food was offered to an idol changes nothing, the Christian can eat it without problem for himself. However prudence dictates that, when buying food, or being served food in another person's house, he should not ask questions about whether the food was offered to an idol. That is because, in consideration for the conscience of someone who thinks differently, the Christian should not eat if this person warns him that the food was offered to an idol. Thus he controls his freedom: he knows he can eat, but does not eat if it will disturb others. Everything must be done to the glory of God, not scandalizing anyone. The selflessness of Paul, so that others might be saved, should be imitated.

 

R David Jones

 

 

 

 

 

1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
2 all 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 of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

 

5. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
7 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."
8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell;
9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.
11 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.
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
13 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.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.
18 Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything?
20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of the table of demons.
22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.
24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being.
25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake;
26 for "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL ITS FULLNESS."
27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake.
28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL ITS FULLNESS."
29 "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?
30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians chapter 10

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 1