mystical view of sacraments

Paul uses the example of Israel as they had their own form of 'sacraments' (passing through the red seas is equivalent to water baptism, God's provision of 'spiritual' food and drink such as manna and water from the rock is equivalent to the Love Feast) but they still perished.

They perished because they broke the Law of God and the sacraments are only declarations of what God has done and obedience is required to validate them. Sometimes Christians have a mystical view of Communion etc.. which is wrong (e.g.. "If I take communion then I'll be O.K. no matter what I do!" is a false statement).