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New Defender's Study Bible Notes
10:6 examples. The word “examples” is the Greek tupos, from which we get “types.” Thus the experiences of the Israelites were actually designed by God as “types” of Christ and of our relation to Him. See also I Corinthians 10:11.
10:7 written. See Exodus 32:6. The people worshiped a golden calf which they themselves had made, thinking that it was their “god.” Such is the foolishness (Romans 1:22) of anyone who tries to believe a “creature” was the Creator (Romans 1:25).
10:8 three and twenty thousand. This was the number that died “in one day.” Numbers 25:9 indicates that the total number that died “in the plague” was twenty-four thousand. Evidently an additional thousand died either before or after that particular day. Both figures are probably round numbers.
10:20 devils. Even though the physical images worshiped by idolaters are nothing but vanity, they do represent a dangerous reality, for “demons” actually lurk in and around such idols. These demonic spirits are able in certain limited ways to cause temporal blessings or troubles to visit their adherents, thereby impressing them with the validity of their false religion, and binding them ever more securely in their grasp.
10:23 edify not. Here is another principle for testing whether a practice not specifically mentioned in Scripture is right or wrong. Does it “edify” or “build up” another person? See also Romans 14:21,23; I Corinthians 6:12,19-20.