As they journeyed through the wilderness, the Israelites, who had just witnessed miracle after miracle, began complaining. “Give us water to drink,” they demanded of Moses. He rebuked them for testing the Lord’s patience, but they continued grumbling. So God told Moses to strike a rock and water would be provided (Ex. 17:1–7).

In 1 Corinthians 10, the apostle Paul points to their example saying that these stories are recorded “to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things “ (vv. 6, 11). On what did God’s people set their hearts? They gave into the temptations of idolatry (v. 7) and immorality (v. 8). What else? They grumbled against God and tested Christ (vv. 9–10). Christ? Yes. Remember that Jesus’ life didn’t begin in Mary’s womb. The Second Person of the Trinity has always existed.

Their negative example should remind us to be on our guard (v. 12). We cannot live the Christian life on cruise control but should watch our mindset. What do we focus our hearts upon? The Corinthians were being tempted to return to their old way of life, including idolatry and the sexual immorality that went on at pagan temples. By reflecting on Israelite history, however, they were encouraged to resist that temptation and continue obediently following Christ and growing in their faith. So can we!

Be encouraged: God will not let us be tempted or tried beyond what we can bear (v. 13). There will always be a way out. Of course, we have to choose it, so this verse also means we have no valid rationalization for sin. Hard times, suffering, victimhood, Satan’s cleverness—none of these are excuses for giving in to temptation. The Israelites didn’t have to do the things they did, neither did the Corinthians, and neither do we.

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