Learn From Examples … and Flee From Idolatry | Matthias Lohmann

Matthias Lohmann shows from 1 Corinthians 10 that the Old Testament was written for us—for the instruction, warning, and perseverance of Christians today. Paul recounts five profound experiences of Israel during the Exodus: the cloud, the Red Sea, baptism into Moses, spiritual food, and water from the rock. These were genuine blessings, even typological anticipations of Christ, yet “with most of them God was not pleased.” Their privileges did not guarantee salvation.Paul then cites four Old Testament warnings—idolatry (Golden Calf), sexual immorality (Numbers 25), testing the Lord (Numbers 21), and grumbling (Numbers 16). In each case, severe judgment followed. Lohmann emphasizes Paul’s point: learn from Israel’s failures, lest we repeat them. External experiences like baptism, the Lord’s Supper, or past spiritual highs cannot replace present, persevering faith.Verse 11 becomes Lohmann’s central claim: the Old Testament was written for us, for believers “on whom the end of the ages has come.” He highlights multiple ways OT texts point to Christ—types, contrasts, themes, promises, law, and redemptive-historical progression.The passage ends with profound encouragement: God is faithful. He sustains His people, provides escape from temptation, and will complete His saving work. Thus Christians both fear self-reliance and rest in God’s preserving grace, persevering in faith until the end.