The Race of Faith, Part 1: Not Disqualified, Learning From Israel's Examples

"'Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 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. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.''" I Corinthians 10:1-2,4-13

Importance of This Story

In the verses above, Paul is continuing a point he started in the final verses of chapter 9, which is part of larger argument started in chapter 8 about eating foods sacrificed to idols and its implications. However, if we take some steps back for better context, we will see that I Corinthians 9:24-27 reads, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

In stating what he stated, Paul is calling his primary audience, the church of Corinth to run well, using himself as an example. Despite the fact that he was an apostle who had seen Christ, yet he still sought to run well the race of faith, in a disciplined manner, in a manner that would guarantee him to obtain the prize at the end. In the natural we see that every athlete, who truly desires to win a prize, doesn't simply show up on the day of the race to run, instead he prepares himself months ahead, he discipline himself to practice, this is what Paul is saying above. Athletes normally eliminate so many things from their lives, they get temperate, use self moderation or self restrain, until they finish the race. Likewise, in the race of faith, Paul didn't run anyhow or with uncertainties, rather he ensured he had a lifestyle that would get him to the desired outcome, so that after preaching to others, he himself would not be disqualified.

Thus, after bringing his own example of temperance and discipline, Paul then jumps to chapter 10 and brings the example of Israel, leading us back to the main passages of this article as it is written above. Paul is still illustrating the same point to the church of Corinth and calling them and us to exercise the same discipline and temperance in the race of faith that we are also running. Therefore, it will do us a lot of good if we heed the example of Paul and particularly the story of Israel that Paul is expanding for the church of Corinth and for all believers after. Just as the possibility of being disqualified was real for Paul according to his own words, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”, this possibility is also real for us as well. Therefore, the story of Israel has a lot to teach us based on the construction Paul is making.

As Israel Was So We Are

When God appeared to Abraham, he told Him that He would make him a father of many nations, and that his descendants would then be slaves in Egypt, but after about 400 years, God would deliver them from Egypt and lead them to the promised land, a land that flows with milk and honey. Years went by and then The Lord did so and with a mighty hand, He delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 12:31-39). However, instead of staying 400 years only in Egypt as God first said, they stayed 430 years because Moses, 10 year prior to the fulfillment of the promise decided to visit Israel, thinking that they would know that God wanted to delivered them through his hand (Exodus 12:30). Moses had a premature appearance, committed murder by killing an Egyptian slave master, Israel didn't recognize him as a deliverer, and consequently, he run to the wilderness, staying there for 40 years before God showed up to him in the burning bush to send him back.

Nevertheless, God fulfilled His promise by delivering them from Egypt, and not only that, but the Lord also told then that they would be His own special people, a nation of kings and priests. Exodus 19, 3-6 says, “And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.” So, God had a plan to make Israel a leading nation to the world, a beacon of light for the gentiles, a nation of kings and priests, a holy nation.

Now, as Israel was in the old testament, we as the church of Jesus are in the new. Not in the sense that we have replaced them as some erroneously preach Replacement Theology or Supersessionism, but in the sense that The Church is the covenant people in the New Testament as Israel was the covenant people in the old. Israel was a pilot nation, but the Church is completeness of that pilot program. By Church it is meant the sum total of all those who believe in God through Christ, both Jews and gentiles - from the two God made one people the bible says in Ephesians 2:14-16. Although God is still fulfilling promises made to natural Israel and many things will continue to revolve around Israel according to what God had already promised, yet God's primary dealings in the present dispensation or time is through the Church, then when we are taken Israel comes in full focus again. For now, take this as Israel was so is The Church in a sense by the new covenant. Let's consider:

• Just like Egypt was a place of bondage to Israel, the world was a place of bondage for us; the deliverance God brought to them from Egypt is a type of salvation God brought to you and me from the world (Galatians 1:3-4), yet they did not get to the promised land immediately like we don't get to heaven or better the new earth immediately after our salvation (John 17:15).

• Just like they were in a journey to the promised land through the wilderness, Jesus also promised us a place (John 14:1-4), a land of rest and until His return we are left here on earth which is a type of the wilderness; therefore, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Moreover, 1 Peter 2:11 calls us pilgrims on this earth, and Jesus said we are not of this world (John 17:14), we are on a journey.

• Just like they were chosen to be a nation of kings and priests, God also chose us to be a nation of kings and priests, or better He is now fulfilling the promise He once started with Israel in a broader sense with and by including us. 1 Peter 2:9 says “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” the plan always included all those who would believe but started with Israel only. Thus, we are a holy nation, a kingdom of royal priests, His own special people.

Hence, we can see the parallels between Israel and Us, The Church. Therefore, again it will do us good to look back to their race as we look forward in our race. Twice in the main verses above, Paul mentioned that the things that happen to Israel were written "in the bible" so we can learn from them; in other words, these are not mere stories they have messages behind them, specifically captured to help us. Verse 6 says, “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.”, and verse 11 likewise says, “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.” Again, these stories have a lesson for us, they are relevant for us, and it’s important that we take heed or pay attention to what happened to them, so we don’t go on the same path, and get disqualified from the faith race.

Israel's Spiritual Experiences

In verses 1-5 of chapter 10 Paul says, “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” In another words, Israel had many spiritual experiences, had seen the miraculous, yet they fell short of God's standards, which already tell us that spiritual experiences alone as important as they are, they are not a guarantee of a good end. Israel started well but most have not finished well. However, one thing we cannot deny is that Israel had the experiences, the verse above highlighted them:

1. They were under the cloud which was a type of the presence of God or the Holy Spirit for us today;

2. They were baptized into Moses or they have accepted Moses teachings or leadership, Just like we have submitted to Christ, which is a type of Moses - deliverer although greater than Moses, Baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, which seems to allude to the two types of baptism we receive in Christ - the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the baptism with water;

3. They ate manna, the spiritual food given from heaven and they drank from the water that came from the rock which is a type of Christ. For us in the new testament, Jesus said, “Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” John 6:53-58. So, we likewise eat of the spiritual drink and bread that God made available to us in Christ.

Yet the bible says that with most of them, not all, God was not well pleased, just like you and me after having so many experiences with God, we can still be disqualified if we don't pay attention to continue disciplined and begin to live anyhow. Therefore Paul himself said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” How many people you know that spoke in tongues, went to church, served, loved the Lord, have had amazing experiences with God and are no longer serving God or are even in church?! Unfortunely, there are many people out there with this story, but God is able and willing (James 4:19-20), it didn't have to be that way; Therefore, we need to beware. A race, in simple terms, is comprised of a starting line, the track itself and a finishing line. An athlete can do all the good things to ensure he has a good start like we mentioned earlier, but as he moves along the track if he does not maintain the same discipline, determined, or focused attitude, he won't make to the finish line.

Again, most of the Israelites had a good start and the experiences, saw the miraculous, heard God's voice, they feared Him at times, yet many of them did not make to the finish line. Therefore, you and me in learning with the examples of Israel we ought to be aware that we can start, and we can even run well for a while, but if we are not vigilant we can be side tracked to the point that we don't make to the finish line. Therefore, let's pay attention of our race and learn with Israel's example. However, we are not alone in the race God is our helper (2 Corinthians 6:2). The purpose of this message is not just to open our eyes to the possibility of being disqualified from the race of faith or that we can go astray to the point of eventually loose our salvation, instead it is for us to learn with Israel's mistakes like Paul said and do the very opposite. Yet, the possibility is real and the bible is full of warnings meant to direct our foot the right way as we run. Consider the following passages: Exodus 32:30-35, Numbers 14:20-24, Matthew 24:9-13, Galatians 5:7-10, Hebrews 6:4-8,  II Peter 2:20-22, James 5:19-20, I John 5:16-17, and Revelation 2:2-5.

In short, we do well in paying careful attention to Israel's journey to the promised land and apply to our own journey toward the heavenly Jerusalem. Israel's journey was recorded for our learning, they started well - sung of the great deliverance God performed for them (Exodus 15:1-21), had amazing experiences as aforementioned, yet with most of them God was not well pleased. What disqualified them and what could disqualify us will be the subject of the Part 2 of this article. For now, we can rest with the fact that It's possible to make it nonetheless. The text says, "But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness." Notice, "with most of them God was not well pleased", it doesn't say "with all of them", some have made to the promised land, some have obtained a good report and were pleasing to the Lord. Hallelujah!

For instance, regarding that generation of Israelites, God said, "'But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.'" Numbers 14:24. There are many more people that obtained a good report, whom the bible consider cloud of witnesses, whose testimony of faith like Caleb's is meant to inspire us, that even in the wilderness we can remain faithful and not be disqualified by God's grace. So, we will see what Israel did wrong, learn from it so we don't fall into the same error, and then we will look at examples of those who made it, and above all we will look at the chief example of all witnesses - Jesus Christ, The Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5).

For now, consider Paul's words as we conclude, "'And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.'" II Timothy 2:5, therefore, let's us run in a such a way that we may obtain the prize, and receive the imperishable crown from our Lord (I Corinthians 9:24-25, Matthew 25:23). "'Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.'" Jude 1:24-25.

God bless you, and see you again.

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