“Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” (Numbers 11:4-6, ESV)
I must admit that I have a sweet tooth. Occasionally, I have a craving for either homemade chocolate chip cookies or cinnamon buns. It was not much of a problem to partake of such when I was younger, but today I must curb such cravings so that I can continue to fit into my trousers. We must be careful to keep our cravings in check.
Here the people of Israel complained that all they had was manna to eat and that they craved meat. Their fond recollection of food in Egypt had some serious implications. This implied that they would rather be in Egyptian bondage than free from bondage and walking with the Lord towards the Promised Land. This complaint also implied that they were not satisfied with what the Lord provided for their sustenance, the manna.
How often do we do the act the same way as the people of Israel? Christ has delivered us who have believed from our bondage to sin. Yet sometimes our flesh craves the things from which the Lord has delivered us. If we are not careful, we can allow ourselves to think back to times when we indulged the flesh with fondness.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus is the manna from heaven, the bread of life (John 4:41, ff.). By partaking of Jesus by faith we have partaken of the bread of life. Thus, we now have abundant life in Him and that He is all we need.
Just as Israel craved its former ways because they were dissatisfied with God’s provision of manna, for us to crave the former ways of bondage is contrary to faith in Christ. We must be careful to reject such sinful cravings and consider the blessings of God’s grace.
Renewing the Heart 