Warnings from Israel’s Past

(Numbers 16:41–50, Numbers 25:1–5)

10 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud, and [that] they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from [the] spiritual rock that accompanied them, and [that] rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.

6 These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they [did]. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them [were]. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[fn] 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them [did], and in one day twenty-three thousand [of them] died. 9 We should not test Christ,[fn] as some of them [did], and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not complain, as some of them [did], and were killed by the destroying angel.[fn]

11 Now these things happened to them [as] examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12 So the [one who] thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God [is] faithful; [He] will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when [you are] tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under [it].