Paul’s letter to the Corinthians continues to provide us with examples of the difficulties the converts in Corinth were experiencing in turning to a life that was so different, so foreign to their previous way of life and belief in worshipping idols.

At the same time, the Apostle does not see it being helpful, indeed any value at all, for them to have a new set of rules to follow and keep - such as we see in many ‘Christian’ organisations today.

Today’s chapter (10) looks in particular at the question of meat that has been offered to idols. Now this does not affect us in any way today, but the underlying principles are interesting. Most meat on sale came from sacrifices made in pagan temples. Many saw something special in such meat. We have encountered this in India with offerings, such as coconuts taken into a Hindu Temple, sprinkled with holy water, and thus having a special value in the eyes of worshippers - and they can take them away and sell them at a profit.

Paul makes the point, “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the grounds of conscience. For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof (that is, everything in it)” [v.25,26] The converts to Christ were free from pagan rituals, not all fully realized this. In following Christ today we must make sure we do not create rituals or rules for ourselves and others as to what we should or should not do, such as things we eat or drink, in the belief that by such means we become more ‘holy’ in the sight of God.

Paul brings his reasoning to a climax by saying, “If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” [v.30,31] Paul saw nothing wrong with eating meat that had been offered to an idol, but some were denouncing him for doing this. He was however, conscious of the need to act differently if an unbeliever “invites you to dinner” and you accept and they make the point that the meat you are about to eat has been “offered in sacrifice” and Paul says “then do not eat it.” [v.28] This is a means of making a point to an unbeliever; a means of challenging his convictions in the reality of the idol.

The essential point is to live and act so that our lives are a witness “to the glory of God” and that by our actions, as well as our words we “give no offense” [v.32]. Paul sums it up by saying, “I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.” [v.33]

All three of today’s readings are highly interesting, but we see we have made comments on the Kings and Corinthians chapters previously so we decided to look more closely at Jeremiah and his references to “the latter days.” A couple of weeks ago in Ch. 30 we encountered the words “at that time” and the statement “in the latter days you will understand” the intentions of the mind of the LORD when, at that time, he executes his “fierce anger” that will “burst upon the head of the wicked.” [v.23,24]

Of israel we read, it is a time when “I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast: it is Zion for whom no one cares!” [v.17] All nations are anti-Zion (Israel) today! These words link in with Ch. 25 where Jeremiah writes, “the LORD, the God of Israel said to me; ’take from my hand this cup of the wine of my wrath and make all nations to whom I send you drink it.’” [v.15].

He did not literally travel to all nations, but his message has gone to all nations in these latter days. Among those mentioned in this chapter are Gaza, Edom and Elam (v.21-26) climaxing with a sweeping statement “and all the kingdoms of the world that are on the face of the earth.” [v.26]. He then repeats this for emphasis, the LORD has an indictment (accusation) against all nations; he is entering into Judgement with all flesh” [v.30]

Our chapter yesterday (48) ended with the prophecy “Yet I will restore the fortune of Moab in the latter days”. Now ancient Moab ceased as a nation before the time of Christ, it is not mentioned in the New Testament and became largely desert. The start of today’s chapter (49) is about the Ammonites and says, “afterwards I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites, declares the LORD” [v.6] The territories of Ammon and Moab make up today’s Jordan, which has only existed as a nation since 1922 and only come into prominence as Israel also became a nation.

The last verse (39) today says, “But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Elam, declares the LORD” Where is Elam? The TIMES ‘Concise Atlas of WORLD HISTORY’ has a map showing it precisely in the position of Iran today. Elam became part of ancient Persia (Daniel 8 v.2) and went into oblivion, as with the other nations, until the 20th Century.

We live at the climax of history, and while we cannot be entirely sure what a number of the prophecies refer to, it is plain what will be the main event in that climax. Verse 4 of tomorrow’s chapter plainly states, “In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come and they shall seek the LORD their God ... Come, let us join ourselves the LORD in an everlasting covenant ...”

Today’s chapter in Corinthians is an answer to specific situations at Corinth. However, it contains many principles which apply to believers in all ages. Paul is responding to “matters about which you wrote” [1 Cor.7 v.1] and it is like hearing one side of a conversation. As we noted yesterday Corinth was a very immoral city and the idolatry and fleshly living that surrounded them created many problems. The believers had been actively part of all this until they committed themselves to follow the way of Christ.

They are commended to be faithful in their marriages, to avoid divorce and to be content with their situation in life, even if they were still slaves. (v.20,21) “I want you to be free from anxieties,” he writes, “to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” [v.35].

Maintaining marriage relationships were very important, he says, making the point, “because of temptations to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband ... do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self control” [v.2,5]

This reference to a Satan is to human tempters, just as, at one stage Peter was a Satan to Jesus, as we read earlier this month in Mark 8 v.33. At that stage Peter’s attitude was all wrong, similarly, many of the converts in Corinth would have contact with individuals whose attitude was very ungodly and could tempt them. So it is with us today – more and more.

Paul is criticised today for being against marriage, even a woman hater! This is not correct, he writes, “I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind one of another ... it is better to marry that to be aflame with passion.” [v.7,9] There were problems because some who had accepted Christ were married to unbelieving partners. The believer should not seek a divorce. The believer should seek to influence the unbeliever, “but if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so.” [v.15]

Paul sensed that Corinth was facing an imminent crisis, just as we sense that this world is heading into a big crisis situation, for that reason there are many points in this chapter which have special relevance to today and the need for our “undivided devotion to the Lord.”