True Satisfaction
11Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11
This admonition was a wonderful comparison of the early Israelis' exodus from Egypt into the wilderness to the salvation of God's people in Jesus and their life in an ungodly world.
Immediately prior to this point, the apostle had been warning the Corinthians of the dangers of idolatry: even as Israel was just delivered from Egypt, many did not walk in faith, clinging unto their Savior, Yahweh. With those people Yahweh was not pleased; and they fell in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:5).
They, even after eating spiritual food from heaven, and spiritual drink from the Rock, lusted after meat, committed sexual immorality, and grumbled with their condition (1 Corinthians 10:6-10). They, having been saved from slavery, longed to return to it.
But it happened as an example for us—those who trust in Yahweh through His Son—that we might not stumble when we think we are standing firmly (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Why does the apostle connect this story of Israel with the Table of Yahweh?
Israel had its nourishment from Yahweh (the Manna and the miraculous Water from the Rock, Which Paul calls Christ); they ate and drank of it, and they still lusted after evil things (1 Corinthians 10:3-11). Though they had the true Food and Drink of Elohim, they were not satisfied, and joined themselves to demons.
The Assembly has its nourishment from Yahweh (the Flesh and Blood of His Son), we eat and drink of it, and we too have the ability to still lust for evil things. Even though the Lord Jesus' Flesh and Blood are called "True Food" and "True Drink" by Him (John 6:55), some may forsake that Supper, being unsatisfied (Hebrews 6:4-8).
But, just as Israel could not do so (and live), so we cannot do so. It is impossible to commune, or to share intimately, with both Yahweh and Satan.
21You can’t both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can’t both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. 1 Corinthians 10:21
We are warned to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). Even as we are tempted to forsake the Living One for that which cannot give life, so was Israel tempted. We might learn from them what to do. Their lust did not bring what they desired. They fell in the wilderness and died. They did not gain freedom and a life of luxury. However, those who ate from Yahweh's hand did; those who trusted Him and were satisfied with the provision straight from His abode in heaven, the same were led into the Promised Land and inherited their possession as ordained by the Father.
Through this comparison, we might learn to mind the spiritual things and not be dwelling upon the things of the flesh. Even in the times of Israel, God's people continually wandered from what could truly satisfy:
2Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness. Isaiah 55:2
Because we have God's best, His Son, both in our hearts and spirits, and in our bodies through the Supper, we have no need to look elsewhere.
1“Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 3Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Isaiah 55:1,3
If we fill ourselves on the Food of God, by trusting in His Son in this New Covenant, we will not hunger for that which does not satisfy.
35Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35
And so, in this Supper of the Lord, we see the ultimate truth—will we trust in Yahweh and truly live, or will we doubt Him and die?