The apostle Paul once compared the wilderness wanderings of Moses and Israel with the difficult sojourn of the Christian life on earth. At one time, the Israelites were slaves in Egypt just as Christians were once slaves in sin. However, God sent Moses to deliver His people then just as He has sent Jesus to deliver us now. Israel followed Moses through the Red Sea and were baptized into him, just as we follow Jesus through the waters of baptism into Him. They wandered in the wilderness learning the ways of God just as we wander in the wilderness of our daily lives learning to live like Jesus. Ultimately, Israel sought the Promised Land of Canaan while we seek the Promised Land of Heaven.

Paul said, “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” (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Paul reminds us, “But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness” (10:5). Paul lists the lessons that we should learn from the disobedience shown by Israel.

First, we must not LUST AFTER EVIL THINGS (10:6). “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (10:5-6).

Second, we must not commit IDOLATRY. “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'” (10:7).

Third, we must not commit SEXUAL IMMORALITY. “Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell” (10:8).

Finally, we must not COMPLAIN. “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” (10:9-10).

Rather than falling for the same traps, we must LEARN. “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” (10:11). God can deliver us from any trap. “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” (10:12-13).

Everyone is invited to our 2007 VBS based on the theme, “Wilderness Wandering,”at the Dixon Church of Christ. We will start the fun with a free Ice Cream Social this Friday around 7:00 PM at the church building. On Saturday we will hold our VBS for the kids from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We hope to see you there!