I love chili. Probably because it’s one of the few things I can make. 🙂
I don’t get chili much here in Japan. Nowadays, I only make it when my wife is visiting her hometown, and I’m left behind because of work.
So I make chili and it lasts me about 5 meals or so (lunch and dinner).
Probably because I don’t have it much, that’s no problem. But I don’t think I could do that everyday for a month, no less a year.
That’s what the Israelites were facing.
They had had a year of eating only manna, it seems, and while at first they were grateful for what God had provided, they were now getting tired of it.
“Manna in the morning. Manna in the afternoon. Manna in the evening. We’ve got manna coming out of our noses! We want something else! Meat! Fish! Melons! Cucumbers!”
(Why cucumbers? They’re fine I guess, but I would never crave them.)
“Garlic! Onions!”
(I guess they liked having strong breath.)
Not only that, this was right after they were disciplined by God for complaining about all the hardships they were facing. And God and Moses were understandably upset.
After all God had done for them, setting them free from a life of slavery, and providing for their every need.
Even so, they complained.
God eventually answered their demand for meat, but while they were still eating, they were struck by a plague that killed a number of them.
What can we learn from this?
First, remember to be thankful for what you have.
It’s easy to criticize the Israelites. But how often do we do the same?
How many people in third world countries would be rejoicing to have all the luxuries we do. Or even to just have food on the table. To have clothes. To have a nice place to stay.
And yet, despite the fact that we have all these things, we complain. “I want this! I want that!”
How much happier would we be if we could only learn to be content.
Second, a heart of discontent can be contagious.
The complaining started with a few of the “rabble,” but quickly spread to the rest of the people.
And so if we have people around us who are always complaining around us, we need to be very careful that it doesn’t spread to us and affect our attitudes.
Third, God has the power to provide all our needs.
So if we find ourselves in times of need, instead of complaining, we should just ask him.
Jesus told us,
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)
When Moses questioned God’s ability to provide meat, God replied,
Is the LORD’s arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you. (Numbers 11:23)
And God did provide.
Finally, what we think will satisfy usually doesn’t.
The Israelites thought that if they would just have meat, they would be happy. But instead it brought death.
The Israelites called the place Kibroth Hattaavah, which means “graves of craving.”
And that’s where our cravings will eventually lead us if we let them control us.
How many people have died earlier than they should have because of their cravings for alcohol, food, cigarettes or drugs?
How many people have sent their relationships and finances to the grave because of their cravings?
Let us not lust after the things that will never satisfy.
Instead let us seek after the One who alone can satisfy.
And be thankful to him.
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 