1 Corinthians 10:5

With many. Literally, “with the many.” Although Israel was greatly favored by God with mighty manifestations of His power, there were few out of the large company that left Egypt under the leadership of Moses who were willing to obey Him. The record tells of repeated murmurings and rebellion even after they had crossed the Red Sea in such a miraculous manner (see Ex. 16:2, 3, 27, 28; 17:3; 32:1, 6; Num. 11:1, 2, 4, 10, 13; 14:2, 26-30). One act of disobedience after another brought upon those highly favored people the judgments of the Lord, until finally He decreed that they should perish in the wilderness (see on Num. 14:29). God had intended that all who set out on the journey to Canaan should have homes in that land flowing with milk and honey (see Ex. 3:8, 17; 13:5). He had made clear that He would guide, guard, instruct, and provide for them, but they refused to believe and obey. Thus they lost their inheritance. In turn their children were given the opportunity to inherit the land.

Overthrown. Gr. katastronnumi, literally, “to strew down along [the ground].” The word occurs only here in the NT, but it is found in the LXX of Num. 14:16. The unbelieving, disobedient Israelites were strewn along the ground in their wanderings through the wilderness because they refused to trust in the love and guidance of their heavenly Father and because they indulged in the gratification of fleshly desires and lusts (see Num. 11:5, 6, 32, 33; 16:31-35, 49; 25:1-5, 9).

The apostle here showed the Corinthian believers that their blessings and privileges did not confer upon them unconditional immunity from temptation. It was necessary for them to be continually on the alert to avoid sin. The favors and blessings bestowed by God upon His people never save them from the just penalty of willful disobedience and rejection of His plain instructions.