MONDAY

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

“Discernment” is a perceptive way of seeing things as we try to make wise judgments about the way things are and how we should respond to them—in other words, being wise and making good choices. Unfortunately, there are times when our assumptions, and the choices we make as a result, don’t always go as well as one might wish. Today’s Scripture reading touches on some of those moments in the history of the Children of Israel when their discernment failed. As you read the passage for today, notice how in verses 6 and 11, Paul reminds us how these stories serve as examples for us (in this case, mostly negative ones). While we might often be tempted to read the Bible as a book of rules or codes to live by, in this passage, Paul encourages us to see how it functions as a book of case studies from which we can learn, if we are discerning. (See Alden Thompson’s book, Inspiration, for a more in-depth conversation about the difference between seeing Scripture as a “code book” or a “case book.”)

As we noticed last Sabbath in the story of Abraham and Isaac and how God provided the lamb in Isaac’s place, what Abraham understood by the end of that experience was different from what he understood going into it. He saw how this God, unlike the other gods, did not require the sacrifice of a child, but supplied all that was needed as a gift of grace! As today’s passage reminds us, stories like this give us an opportunity to discern between what people got right, what they got wrong, and how their understanding of God grew in the process. Because the world the Biblical characters lived in was very different from the one we live in today, we need to be thoughtful and wise about the lessons we draw from them and how we apply them. Whether it’s role models to emulate, object lessons that may serve as warnings, or just people who respond to God’s leading in less than perfect ways, reading thoughtfully and in context helps us discern wisely what we can learn from them as we too seek to respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him.

As you reflect on today’s passage, consider the following questions:

• Are there passages or stories in Scripture that come to mind that, when read in context, seem to serve as timely warnings about things that are impacting our lives today?

• Are there passages or stories that come to mind that encourage us to move beyond our limited understandings of things toward a richer and fuller picture of God? (i.e., Peter’s vision on his roof and his encounter with Gentiles in Acts 10, etc.)

• As you think about people in Scripture that are sometimes seen as role models, what parts of their stories would you want to emulate, and what parts would you not want to? How does staying focused on the way God is revealed in Jesus give us discernment about how to make those distinctions?

• Do you tend to think about Scripture more as a book of rules to follow, or a collection of stories that give us insight into how God works in our lives?

• When it comes to discernment, what do you think about this quote: “We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view, never have occasion to change an opinion, will be disappointed.” Ellen White, Review and Herald, July 26, 1892, paragraph 7.

• As you reflect on your own walk with God, where are some of the growing edges for you when it comes to discernment?

Take a few quiet moments to share with God in prayer what is on your heart.