Lessons from Jewish history in the Old Testament are examples us today of God’s character,
human nature, faith, salvation, judgment, etc. Concerning the Old Testament narrative Paul says:

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.”

God made sure the stories and events of Old Testament history were recorded accurately so that
we could use them to navigate our way through life. They were recorded as examples and warnings for us so that we could anticipate the results of choices we make and increase the odds of our success as believers. It would seem that according to this verse the knowledge of the facts and an understanding of the details of the Old Testament would be a necessity for a successful and productive Christian life in our Church age.

Since this is God’s intention for the Old Testament text, Paul warns the Corinthians that even:

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”  

The word “think” is dokon and means, “to be of the opinion.” The verb “be careful” is blepeto which means “to see, to beware, to be watchful” in the imperative mood (the mood of command). Together, these are telling the Corinthians:

“If it is your opinion that you are living the Christian life and standing solid in Christ, then be looking at these Old Testament examples so you do not fall.”

Paul has just commanded the Greeks in Corinth to study the Jewish Scriptures in the
Old Testament in order to live a successful and productive Christian life.

Key OT actors appear every 500 years:

Noah, 2500 BC
Abraham, 2000
Moses, 1500
David, 1000
Ezra, 500

Egyptian period is 1750 BC
The judges are 1250
Elijah is about 750

The general Church Age follows a similar pattern:

Paul, 0 AD
Augustine, 500
Thomas Aquinas, 1000
Calvin, 1500
Barth, 2000