Be careful of what you desire

Numbers 11:4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also a wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased.

18 And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the Lord, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the Lord will give you meat, and you shall eat. 19 You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20 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?”’”

31 Then a wind from the Lord sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day's journey on this side and a day's journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the ground. 32 And the people rose all that day and all night and all the next day, and gathered the quail. Those who gathered least gathered ten homers. And they spread them out for themselves all around the camp. 33 While the meat was yet between their teeth, before it was consumed, the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord struck down the people with a very great plague. 34 Therefore the name of that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had the craving.

Stop to read and pray through Numbers 11. Within the chapter lies a Hugely important lesson for us all. To comprehend the passage, we must understand the background of the situation. God had led the Israelites out of harsh slavery, had miraculously parted the red sea to save them and was visibly and tangibly in communion with them through the Tabernacle. He visibly led them by a cloud by day and fire by night, he was physically a part of their lives. The could not only sense His God's presence, they could see it vividly. He had also given them manna and water to sustain them miraculously. He was trying to get them to rely totally on Him as they prepared to make war and claim the Holy Land of Canaan. He wanted to build their faith and had given them everything that they needed.

The problem was their desires. They wanted something more that God's presence and provision. They wanted the carnal pleasures of Egypt. They wanted to be fat and happy and have some "good stuff" to eat. So they rejected God's plan, his communion and provision, and came up with one that better fit their desires. They wanted it their way. He gives it to them until they are sick of it. he literally gorges them with it until it is coming out of their nostrils (v.20). And then he strikes the ones who craved the world's best more than Him. The very things they craved more than God, he gave them. In the end, those worldly desires were fulfilled all the way to the grave.

This passage clearly spells out the struggle that each man or woman faces. It makes my heart swell up with praise for a Jesus who enables me to choose God over the world. As someone who blatantly chose worldly desires over God for many years, I am glad that Jesus death has been substituted for mine. I praise Him that His grace is at work in me, making war with my flesh, and preparing me to battle for His glory alone. Abiding in Him is the greatest thing that I know. And because of His work in me, I truly have a desire to live off of his sustenance alone. He is indeed good.

I would beg you to consider your life in view of this passage. Do you desire something more than God's presence and provision? Is that not good enough for you and you need something a little flashier?

Be careful as he just may turn you over to your desires.