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Whether we read here "the Lord," or "Christ" the meaning is the same. The relation of Israel to Jehovah was parallel, was identical, with the relation of Christians to their Lord Christ. If we are loyal to our King Jesus, then we are in the position of the Hebrews when they reverenced and served the Lord their God; if we are traitors to him whom we call Master and Lord, then we stand in the same condemnation as rebellious Israel. The language of the apostle implies that there is danger lest we presumptuously test, by our unbelief, ingratitude, and rebellion, the forbearance and the grace of him whose we profess to be, whom we profess to serve.

I. THE WAYS IN WHICH WE ARE IN DANGER OF TEMPTING CHRIST.

1. Some hearers of the gospel tempt the Lord by neglecting his gospel as unimportant and unnecessary.

2. Some by deferring that adhesion and devotion to Christ which his authority and circumstances require.

3. Some Christians tempt the Lord by their longings for the sins from which he came and died to deliver them. As the Israelites lusted for the flesh pots of Egypt, so it is to be feared there are Christians who cast a longing eye upon the sinful and worldly pleasures from which they should be delivered.

4. Some by their ingratitude, murmuring, and rebelliousness. As at Corinth there were those who were dissatisfied with the simplicity of the gospel, those who resisted the authority of the apostle, those who had little sympathy with the Christian spirit of self denial; so in the Church are there not a few whose temper and conduct are such as to put to the utmost trial the long suffering and forbearance of the Lord.

II. THE REASONS TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST HIMSELF WHY HIS PEOPLE SHOULD NOT TEMPT HIM.

1. They are bound to honour and obey him as the Son of God.

2. They are bound to acknowledge his claims upon their gratitude, love, and service.

3. They may well be affected by the touching spectacle of his patience and long suffering. Has he not "borne with their manners in the wilderness"? Can they any longer subject him to a trial so unjust and so cruel?

III. THE REASONS RELATING TO THEMSELVES WHY CHRIST'S PEOPLE SHOULD NOT TEMPT HIM.

1. Continuance in unbelief and rebellion will certainly harden the heart, and unfit and indispose for his service.

2. The blessed and sacred opportunity which life affords for grateful consecration and obedience will pass by unimproved.

3. An example of the kind deprecated will tend to embolden others to persevere in irreligion and in iniquity.

4. It must not be forgotten that, although Christ is a Saviour, he is also a Judge. His forbearance will not last for ever. Where he cannot acquit, he must and will condemn. Men may try Christ too long and too far. Sentence may be deferred, but it will be pronounced and it will be executed. After all, it is not so much the case that we are testing and trying Christ, as that he is testing and trying us. Now is the time of our probation. How do we endure when he puts us to the proof? - T.

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KJV: Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

WEB: Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.