Privileges from God
1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. (NKJV)
The writer of 1 Corinthians is the apostle Paul. He wrote this letter to the church at Corinth, Greece during his third missionary journey. The church was established by Paul during his second missionary journey when he ministered in Corinth for a year and a half during A. D. 51-52.
Paul wrote this letter during his two year and three-month ministry in Ephesus, Asia in A. D. 54-56. It was actually his second letter to the church (1 Cor. 5:9). However, the first letter obviously was lost. The purpose of this letter is to emphasize that Jesus is our Lord and Master.
In the previous passage, Paul wrote of the responsibilities of being used by God. Now, in this passage, He writes of the privileges of being used by God using the example of the Israelites when they were freed from captivity of the Egyptians. The Israelites were being used by God to establish a great nation in the Promised Land.
The first privilege was that God lead the Israelites as they walked with Him. By day, God provided a “cloud” and by night He provided fire to lead them (v. 1a).
Next, God provided safe passage through the “sea”, swallowing up the Egyptian soldiers who pursued them (v. 1b). God protected the Israelites from their enemies.
As the Israelites followed the man God chose to lead them, Moses, they “were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (v. 2a). To be baptized into Moses means that the Israelites identified with Moses and followed his leadership.
Through their faith they were “baptized”, saved, from their captors (v. 2b). God guided them and delivered them from their enemies.
The third privilege was that God provided “spiritual food” to the Israelites (v. 3). This is a reference to the manna dropped from Heaven which sustained them along their journey through the wilderness.
This manna was called spiritual food, since it had been provided by God. It was a picture of spiritual nourishment.
The fourth, and final, privilege that God granted the Israelites was that of “spiritual drink” (v. 4a). This was a reference to the water that was provided to them along their journey.
Moses wrote “And the Lord said to Moses, "Go on before the people, and take with you some of the elders of Israel. Also take in your hand your rod with which you struck the river, and go. Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel” (Exodus 17:5-6).
The Rock represents the provider of the water, the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 4b). The Lord provides living water to His people.
This passage gives us an example of how the Lord provides for His people. These are some of the privileges of being a Christian, being used by God.
He promises to meet all our needs. All Christians are led and guided by God. He provides us protection from our enemies.
Of course, this only happens if we become a Christian. When we become a Christian we are baptized into Christ, which means that we identify with Him and follow His leadership.
God also provides spiritual food and water as we walk with Him. He sustains us. He is our Living Water.
This spiritual sustenance comes mainly through His word, the Bible. As we read the Bible, He feeds us and strengthens us to do what He has called us to do.
He has promised to never leave nor forsake us. He is always present and is in control of all things. Nothing will happen to us outside of His perfect will.
Being a child of God has its privileges.
Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary