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. (5) But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. (6) Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. (10) nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. (11) Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (12) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. He is warning them to watch for false security as to their power to resist temptation resting on an overabundance of self confidence. Paul used the example of the Israelites and their disastrous journey to the promised land through the wilderness. No people ever had more evidence of election as a nation but yet their bodies were left strewn in the desert. They had been highly favored as are we; they were miraculously guarded by a pillar of cloud as they left Egypt, led through the Red Sea, fed by manna from heaven and given water from a rock and yet many perished. It is not enough to be the recipient of extraordinary favors and to begin well – the Christians in Corinth are being warned by Paul to walk in faith to the finish.

Many Israelites failed because of unbelief. It is one thing to profess being a Christian – to participate, to be baptized, to associate outwardly with people of God, BUT quite another to be genuinely perseverant and faithful to the end. In Israel there were two groups – one of true faith and one of a simply outward relationship. All who were/are genuine in profession at any time, any place, were saved. There must be regeneration and personal faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are specifically warned against murmuring/grumbling; complaining in the spirit of rebellion. My favorite author and favorite book, C.S. lewis in ‘The Great Divorce’ writes “Hell begins with a grumbling mood, always complaining, always blaming others……. But you are still distinct from it. You may even criticize it in yourself and wish you could stop it. But there may come a day when you can no longer. Then there will be no you left to criticize the mood or even to enjoy it but just the grumble itself going on forever like a machine.”