6 Now these things took place as examples [Grk: tupos] for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
Paul recalls some of Israel’s early history to the Corinthians to instruct them on their behavior. He calls the historical events of Israel: examples (Grk: tupos, ie types). As we are learning, the Bible uses type and antitype relationships for the purpose of placing the type against the antitype to make comparisons.
Paul is identifying in this passage specific Israelite historical events as types. He is telling the Corinthian church not to behave like the types. So he’s telling them to compare themselves to the Israelite historical types. Therefore, we, the church today, represented here by the Corinthian church, are the antitypes.
What does Paul tell US about the things our historical types did in 1 Cor 10?
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vs5 With most of them, God was not pleased.
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vs7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were;… "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play."
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vs8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
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vs9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them DID and were destroyed by serpents,
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vs10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
11 Now these things happened to them as an example [Grk: tupos], but they were written down for OUR instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
He then gives US a warning, a promise, and an instruction
vs12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
vs13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
vs14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (i.e. Don’t put ANYONE or ANYTHING else before God)
Because, our historical examples that typify us, DID all these things, READ and learn how God dealt with them and apply those lessons to us today.
-Scott R