The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 334

"living water, of which whoso drinks shall not thirst again." The dying revive, the thirsting are satisfied, the weary arc refreshed, the labourers are cheered, as they together draw near to the spiritual fountains which flow from Christ. (4) The blessings which proce~d from Jesus proceed in an enduring and unfailing stream of supply. Gcuerations drink at the same spring, and quench their thirst, only to commend the living fountain to all succeeding ages. III. SACRAMF.NTALLY. '!'he allusion is unmistakable to the communion of the Lord's Supper. Both the streams in the wilderness and the cup of the Eucharist symbolize the spiritual participation, which is the privilege of those to whom the Word of the Lord is addressed, in the supply afforded by the Divine and living Rock. The voice of heaven reaches our grateful ear: "Eat, 0 friends; drink, . . . 0 beloved! " The superiority of the new covenant is manifest: the Israelites drank of water; Christ is not only the Stream of water in the desert, he is the Cup of wine at the banqueting table. " The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?"-T. Ver. 6.-" Our examples." The force of example, both to encourage and to deter, is familiar and admitted. The principle is used in education, in the arts, in government and law. It is justly believed that a readier and deeper impression is produced by 'living char~cters and real events than by abstract propositions. 'l.'he principle is employed by religion. The Bible is full of examples of sin, punishment, repentance, virtue, reward. The Old Testament has been termed the pictnre-book accompanyinJ:!: and illustrating the lessons of the New Testament. The text assumes the special applicability of the history of Israel in the wilderness to the spiritual instruction, first of the Corinthians, and then also of all professed Christians. Paul points and emphasizes his appeals to diligence, purity, cheel'fulness, etc., by referring to the well-know11 incide11ts of the journey of Israel from Egypt to the land of promise. I. JSR.al.EL IN THE WILDERNESS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WARNING. 1. Against murmuring, which, it is to be feared, never appears to many Christians to be of the nature of si11, and against which accordingly many are not upon their guard. But murmuring is against Divine appointment, and is therefore against God himself. 2. Agaiost sensuality. Into these it was not surprising that Israel should fall, having only just escaped from Egypt, and being surrounded by the licentious heathen, And what more importaot and necessary thau a caution against defiling and destroying the temple of the Holy Ghost? 3. Against rebellion. Israel again and again rebelled against Moses the servant of God, and against Jehovah himself. And Christians need to be reminded that to violate God's Law, to defy the o.uLhority of God's inspired apostles, to resist the Divine message of G0<l's ministers, is treason, and cannot go unpunished. 4. Against ,mbelief. This was the sin which lay at the root of the others, ns is show11 in the Epistle to tho Hebrews. It contrasts with that childlike faith which is becoming in the privileged people of the Lord. All such conduct, as we may learn from the Old 'festament narrative referred to, is observed, disapproved, and censured by the omniscient Ruler. It is tempting Christ. We are reminded of the possibility and of the culpability of such sin. II. ISRAEL DI' THE WILDERNESS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. If we look at the human side, the lesson is one of warning; but if we regard the Divine sit.le, there we see much to cheer, animate, and inspire us. '\Ve remark: 1. Divine guidance. As Israel wo.s led by the pillar of cloud and of fire, so will all who look up and commit their way unto the Lord, experience his directing grace. 2. Divine care, bounty, and goodness. As Israel ate of the manna from heaven and drank of the streams from the rock, so that, when earth failed, heaven interposed, in like manner will tho beneficence of God satisfy the wants of all who in necessity and straits call upo11 him. 3. Divine protection. As Israel's foes were discomfited, as threatening dangers wero averte<l, so sha-11 a way of escape and a door of deliverance be provided for all who trust in a ·gracious and redeeming God. The arm of flesh ll!RY fail, but the arm of Omnipotenctt shall prove ready and victorious. 4. Tho final possession of the promises. God led his people to the land he promised to their fathers; not immediately, not by a way they kr.ew, not without difficulties, bar<lships, contests, yet surely, safely, victoriously. lfbose who are "on their way to God" may well be animated by such recollections, L COlll~THIA~S. Z  338 THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. [cH. x. 1-33,