5 Now mark and learn the lesson. Many of those original founders of our faith “were slain in the wilderness” (Num. xiv. 16).
6 The perfect will of God was not fulfilled in them and thereby we can discern the truth about ourselves, for they are types. They teach us not to lust, as some of them “lusted” (Num. xi. 4, 34).
7 Yes, our fathers took part in that great piece of history, they witnessed that divine manifestation of God, and yet though part of all that, they were not all elect. There took place in their midst a corresponding reprobation and apostacy of some. They worshipped idols, and made an image to Jehovah, and made a pagan rite of his sacrifice. “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” (Exod. xxxii. 6)
8 They committed fornication, and 23,000 fell in one day.
9 They tempted the Lord, and were destroyed by serpents.
10 They murmured, and the destroyer fell on them.
11 On us has come the fulfilment of history. What happened before is the type of that which happens now, what was written before was written for the guidance of those on whom these days have come. All that past is contained in the history that is being made.