We are blessed!\u00a0 You hear many people say that statement, but I wonder how often we as Christians take the time to realize just how blessed we are.\u00a0 It is something the nation of Israel forgot from time to time, and it was something the Corinthian church had forgotten as well.\u00a0 As Paul opens this chapter, he gives us an Old Testament lesson.\u00a0 Paul opens with a familiar phrase, \u201cI would not that ye should be ignorant.\u201d\u00a0 This is Paul saying, \u201cI don\u2019t want you to forget this.\u201d\u00a0 He says \u201call our fathers.\u201d\u00a0 The word \u201call\u201d is important.\u00a0 In this instance it is a reference to the entire nation of Israel.\u00a0 Paul is reminding them of their blessings.<\/p>\n
The first blessing Paul mentions is that they were under the cloud.\u00a0 This is a reference to the shekinah glory cloud mentioned in Exodus 13.\u00a0 As Pharaoh let Israel leave Egypt, God symbolized His presence with them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night according to Exodus 13:21.\u00a0 In Exodus 14 we learn that the cloud was in front of them as well as behind them.\u00a0 This demonstrates that the children of Israel were surrounded by God, which meant they were divinely protected.\u00a0 As long as the cloud remained in front of them it also symbolized that God was leading the nation of Israel.\u00a0 The nation of Israel had a special relationship with God, they are still God\u2019s people although they have been temporarily set aside because of their rejection of Jesus.<\/p>\n
The second blessing Paul mentions is that they all pass through the sea.\u00a0 This is a reference to the Red Sea crossing.\u00a0 Among other things, the Red Sea crossing reminds us that as long as we are following God, He will provide the way even when there doesn\u2019t seem to be a way.\u00a0 What a valuable lesson for Christians and churches to learn.\u00a0 Follow God and He will provide.\u00a0 Trust in the sovereignty of God that He will not lead us somewhere that He has not already provided for us what we need.<\/p>\n
The next blessing is that of godly leadership in verse 2.\u00a0 Israel was led by God through Moses.\u00a0 If there is one thing that is invaluable in churches it is godly leadership.\u00a0 The other place it is so vital is in the home.\u00a0 The man must rise up and fulfill his God-given task of leading his family to the cross and to become more like Christ.<\/p>\n
The final blessing given is in verses 3 and 4.\u00a0 It is the blessing of physical and spiritual provision.\u00a0 God supplies everything we need (see Mt. 6:24-33 and Phil. 4:19).\u00a0 A blessing that we enjoy is not having to worry about our needs or the needs of our family, because God has promised to provide for them.<\/p>\n
After giving a listing of some blessings Israel enjoyed, Paul makes a stunning statement in verse 5, \u201cBut with many of them God was not well pleased.\u201d Despite their many blessings, the nation of Israel constantly complained and willfully disobeyed God.\u00a0 The story Paul is alluding to here is found in Numbers 14.\u00a0 It is when 12 spies were sent into Canaan. 10 of them came back and told all the reasons they couldn\u2019t inhabit the land God promised them.\u00a0 Only two of them (Joshua and Caleb) told the reason they could have the land, God promised it to them.\u00a0 Like many of us today, the nation of Israel despite seeing God\u2019s hand of blessing and provision, they chose to listen and give in to their fears rather than have faith in God.\u00a0 As the end of verse 5 says, because of this disobedience they fell in the wilderness.<\/p>\n
When was the last time you took stock of your blessings?\u00a0 It is so easy to get so busy that we forget to take time to thank God for His many blessings.\u00a0 It is one reason that at Westlake Baptist, we take a moment each worship service to sing \u201cpraise God from whom all blessings flow.\u201d\u00a0 Let Israel and the church at Corinth serve as a lesson for us all.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forfeit your blessings because of fear and unbelief.\u00a0 Trust in the God who has delivered you out of slavery to sin, who is leading you to the Promised Land of heaven, and who continuously and graciously provides for you.<\/p>\n
By His grace and through His strength may we live for Him<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We are blessed!\u00a0 You hear many people say that statement, but I wonder how often we as Christians take the time to realize just how blessed we are.\u00a0 It is something the nation of Israel forgot from time to time, … Read More