Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes. Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (vv. 6-13)

Many people who call themselves Christians do not read the whole Bible. I believe many of them read only the New Testament because they find Israel’s history boring. Some begin reading the Bible from the beginning but give up when they reach Leviticus, Numbers, or Deuteronomy. Yet the Old Testament provides essential insight into the New Testament. Without reading the OT, there can be no proper understanding of the NT. The old covenant exists for the sake of the new covenant. How can one understand the new covenant without first understanding the old?

The old covenant was based on the law and obedience. It required human effort. However, God never desired mere external obedience. The essence of the law is love—love for God and for our neighbours. There may be many forms of love, but the love the Bible speaks of is sacrificial love, ultimately revealed in the cross of Christ. Therefore, the law was not given simply for us to “keep,” but to show us that only God is love.

Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us, because He has given to us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. (1 John 4:7-14)

Paul mentions the rebellious acts of the Israelites in the wilderness. Through their history, we learn about God. God is above, and we are below. We can never satisfy God because our hearts are crooked. All were delivered from Egypt, yet most of them died without reaching the promised land. The law was given, but the stone tablets were broken. This shows that the law was not given for mere external obedience, but to help us understand God and His plan.

Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and began dining with Jesus and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, “Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. Now go and learn what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9: 10-13)

Paul’s letters should be understood with these things in mind. His instructions are grounded in Christ’s sacrificial love, not in mere external obedience. Many Christians may believe they are doing what Paul teaches in his letters. Some even attempt to instruct others on how to live a Christian life. Yet we have seen many hypocrites, and we ourselves become hypocrites if we think we can please God through mere external obedience to the law.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or the church of God; just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33)

Many non-Christians find Christianity difficult to understand because they do not believe they are sinners. Some ministers have tried to make people feel guilty as a way of explaining the gospel, but this is not the right way to teach people about God. As we see in the Book of Job, living a moral life in itself means nothing to God. My moral righteousness does not benefit God, nor does He owe me thanks for it. Often, mere external obedience to the law can lead to pride and self-righteousness. That does not mean that we should live an immoral life. But we must remember righteousness is not about keeping the law but about knowing God. God is not a creature but the Creator. Only God is righteous, and He must make us one with Himself in order to make us righteous—and this was accomplished through the cross of Christ.

Because Christ demonstrated the ultimate sacrificial love, those who are united with Him display that same love. Paul reminds us in his letters what Christian love looks like. Therefore, one cannot truly understand Paul unless they know God through His Word. The Holy Spirit teaches and guides us.

No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his neighbor. (v. 24)