“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)
“You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before him, saying, ‘Why did we come out of Egypt?'” (Numbers 11:19-20, ESV)
I am sure you have heard it said, “Be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.” This sentiment most certainly seems to fit the situation of Israel in this passage. They wanted meat to eat and the Lord sent them meat. In fact, Numbers 11:31-35 tells us that the quail fell on an area covering the camp and out to a day’s journey from the camp up to about waste high. It further tells us that when the people ate of the quail, before they consumed it, they were stricken with the plague.
The problem with Israel was the attitude of their hearts in asking for the meat. The text indicates that they had “rejected the Lord.” One commentator stated that their attitude would be like a modern day professing Christian saying to the Lord, “I wish you had not died for me! Leave me alone!” They had turned their backs on the Lord thinking that they could run their own lives better without the Lord. It really was a matter of lordship.
The Lord knew what was best for Israel and He knows what is best for us. The Lord provides for us that which is beneficial for us in our lives, to guide us and fit us into His wonderful program. However, often we crave things like a little child who wants to eat candy for dinner. The parents know that the child needs a balanced diet to remain healthy. In the same way the Lord knows what is best for us.
Therefore, we ought to consider our attitude in prayer, not being childish like the Israelites were. James stated that often we “ask and do not receive” because we ask wrongly. So we must ask correctly. When we crave and ask for things we must consider how these things fit within the Lord’s sovereign program. We must ask according to His sovereign purposes. We are to join Him in his program. It is not the other way around.
Renewing the Heart 