What is the purpose of Paul's letters?
Paul's letters are designed to teach believers, not merely basic truths, but how all the Scriptures fit together. They connect the old and the new, showing that they are intrinsically united. This instructional purpose runs through his writing as he applies Israel's history to the church.
Les explains that in I Corinthians 10:1, Paul is adding a lesson, going back to Exodus, and that the whole purpose of Paul's letters is to teach us, not just simple things, but how all the Scriptures tie themselves together. Les loves to tie the old and the new because they fit intrinsically. Paul illustrates this by pointing to Israel's fathers under the cloud and passing through the Red Sea, using their history to instruct the church.