History Student

1 Cor 10:1 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. 7 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." 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 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.

Unlike most people, in school my favorite subject was always history. It didn’t really matter what kind of history either - although I certainly preferred American history since so much of it directly affected my life. Even to this day, I am a student of the Civil War, particularly, and World War II. But I also enjoy hearing all I can about the Revolutionary War, and all that went into the founding of this nation. I find the study of history indispensable. I even enjoy memorizing the dates when things took place – despite the recent emphasis on “happenings” as opposed to “dates.” Is it important to know the Magna Carta was written in 1215? Maybe not – but maybe it is helpful to know how long mankind had lived without any sort of the kind of ‘rights’ we experience today?

Paul is also a student of history, and he is an advocate of knowing “from whence we come.” The point? Well, the old saying is, “Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it.” And that’s a great saying, especially in a case like this: Real life in this world.

The saying teaches us we are likely to fail just as badly as previous generations and nations have failed if we do not study and pay attention to the reasons they failed. This is especially true in the case of the Israelites. We can learn an awful lot from them, because they were an ‘awful lot.’

In spite of all God had done for Israel, they consistently turned their backs on God and complained about Him and worshiped idols. That is a tremendous example for us NOT to follow. But here is another thing to pay attention to: Notice how much God had DONE for them. Notice how much GOOD and GREATNESS it was they forgot about. Forget about world history for a moment and think about your life. How much has God done for you? Isn’t that an indicator of what He will do for you in the future?

- Pastor Bill