Verse 1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
The Greek word translated as “ignorant” is “agnoeo” and it means to be ignorant, not to know, not to understand, to err or sin through mistake, and to be wrong. The Apostle Paul wants to be sure the Corinthian believers are familiar with Old Testament history so that they can understand the examples he is about to write to them about. The cloud was the presence of the LORD which lead the Hebrew people through the wilderness and which provided shade for them in the desert environment by day, and then which burst forth in fiery light and heat at night to be a light unto their path and to warm them on cold desert nights.
Application: Remember that the Apostle Paul is writing to Gentiles in the Corinthian church, and not to Jews. Yet he refers to “our fathers”, meaning that the patriarchs and the Hebrew people of old were ancestors of these Gentile believers. How can that be? Because all those who live by faith in Christ Jesus are Abraham’s children or descendants. Abraham had other children besides Issac who became the fathers of other people, tribes and nations. It is spiritual and not of the flesh. Galatians 3:7 “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” One’s race does not make the basis for being one of Abraham’s children or one of God’s chosen people. “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Galatians 3:9 Those who do not believe the Gospel message are not children of Abraham regardless of whether they can prove their pedigree genetically to go back to the Hebrew patriarchs.
Verse 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Application: Many Christian believers feel and teach that water baptism is optional and that it does not matter much if converted believers receive baptism or not. They believe that it is merely a visible testimony of the believer’s decision to follow Christ Jesus. This is not true. It is commanded. When the Hebrew people left Egypt, God parted the waters of the Red Sea and they walked through the sea bed on dry land while the water was held back supernaturally by God forming walls of water on each side of them. When they were all safely through, God let the waters go and the Egyptian army who was chasing the Hebrews were all drowned. This was a type of baptism of the Hebrew people and was a foreshadowing of baptism in the Church. Jesus had not yet come, so they were baptized unto (a preposition meaning into, unto, to, towards, for, or among) Moses who was a type of Christ and a foreshadowing of the Messiah. “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;” Deuteronomy 18:15
Verses 3-4 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10)