1 Corinthians 10:1-13
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil 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 rose up to play.” 8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 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.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Co 10:1–13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
There have been many prophets who put God to the test. Gideon tested God with a fleece of wool that he set out on the floor. Elijah tested God with the same test proposed to Baal. You could even say Jonah tested God both by running away and by waiting for the destruction of Nineveh. How have you tested God in the past?
But this is not the entire point of this passage. St Paul tells us God is faithful and reminds us about the way the Children of Israel acted during their time in the wilderness. When they tested God or grumbled against him or indulged in sexual immorality, what happened to them. St Paul gives us just a couple of examples with 23,000 dying in one day and poisonous serpents. But his warning for all of us is not to fall into idolatry.
Many people fall into idolatry. I had not really watched American Idol until the last couple of seasons. But the name of the show and the way fans act on the show are so well connected. These young singers are truly idols. Movie stars have become idols for others to worship as they follow their existence. Political figures even seem to desire this same worship and loyalty from their followers or supporters. Then you get to sports. American Idols are all around us. Most people point to the worship of money or even the love of the security blanket. But there are examples of idolatry all around us.
Who do you look up to? Who do you imitate? Who do you worship? Look to the cross where your savior died for the forgiveness of all your sins. Imitate St Paul as he imitates Christ our Lord who called people to believe in his Father in Heaven. Worship Father Son and Holy Spirit the one who has created you, redeemed you, and called you to faith. God is faithful and just. He baptizes his people into his Name. He provided the Sacrifice of his only Son so that you could be forgiven or redeemed from your sins.
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