William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Corinthians 10:1 - 10:1

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William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Corinthians 10:1 - 10:1


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Amongst other arguments which the apostle produces to dissuade the Corinthians from eating things offered to idols in the idol temples, and to prove it absolutely unlawful for Christians to have communion with the Gentiles in their idolatrous banquets, the first is drawn from the danger of such sinful communion; it would endanger their falling into such kinds of sins as the Israelites on that occasion fell into, and consequently expose them to such punishments as they suffered.

But first of all, in the beginning of this chapter, he acquaints the Corinthians with the great favours and privileges which Almighty God vouchsafed to, and conferred upon, the Israelites, who came out of Egypt with Moses into the wilderness, who had a pillar of cloud to guide and protect them, the manna from heaven to sustain and uphold them, and water out of a rock to refresh and satisfy them.

All our fathers were under the cloud; that is, under the conduct and protection of the cloud; and all passed through the Red sea, as upon dry ground.

This cloud, which accompanied the Israelites in their journeyings, had a threefold use:

1. In respect of God; it was a sign and symbol of the presence of God with them, and of his care and protection over them, for it encompassed their camp as a wall doth a city. Hence is that of the Psalmist, He spread out a cloud for a covering to them, and fire to give light in the night season, Psa_105:39.

2. In respect of the Israelites, the cloud did guide and direct them in their journeying: In the day he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire. Psa_78:14. And as the cloud did guide and direct Israel, so did it cool and refresh them in the wilderness, preserving them from the heat of the sun: it was a covering canopy over them in a scorching desert.

3. In respect of their enemies; it was darkness to the Egyptians, and consequently protected the Israelites from their enemies, that they could not assault or fall upon them. It had a bright side to the Israelites, and a dark side to the Egyptians.

Lord! how easily canst thou make the same creature a comfort to thy children, and a terror to thine enemies. Every outward blessing is that, and no more, which thou art pleased to make it to us. A cloud shall guide, a cloud shall cover, a cloud shall comfort Israel; and the same cloud shall be darkness, yea, at thy command, shall be death, unto the Egyptians.