Examples

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. – 1 Corinthians 10.6-10

The Old Testament account of the wanderings in the Wilderness are not just exciting stories. They have a purpose. Paul says that those things are example for us. It is easy for us to be critical of them for their discontent and their moaning and whinging and complaining and rebellion. Those events, and how God dealt with them, should teach us a lot about our bevaviour and how we respond to difficult times in our own lives.

They lusted after evil things. We need to avoid those lustings. We need to avoid any sort of idolatry. We need to avoid the party spirit they celebrated. They were punished for fornication. They tested Christ. They were murmerers and complainers – actions that we too ought to avoid.

It is easy to look back and be critical of Isreal in the Wildnerness in hindsight. 'How could they act that way?'  'Why did they have such a hard time trusting God?' Then, all the while we have the exact same issues.

It is far better for us to learn from their example and avoid their sins.