Cravings

Cravings are a part of being human. I often crave chocolate, steak, or an ice cold beer. I also crave things, especially gadgets, and I crave positions, like being a lead minister. Giving in to cravings on occasion isn’t a bad or evil thing. Always giving into them and even to the point of excusing your behavior on the basis of your craving is fueled by sin.

In the Old Testament in the book of Numbers we come face to face with what cravings can do when they consume us and turn into language that reveals a heart that not only flees God but spits in His face. It’s the language of entitlement that likes to use words like “deserve.”

The Israelites, freed from slavery, find themselves in the wilderness prior to their first encounter with the Promised Land. In seemingly a short amount of time they begin to grumble about the fact that manna is their ONLY source of nourishment.

“4Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.
6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”” (Numbers 11)

When the Israelites long for Egypt and crave the things of their life of slavery it is always a really bad sign. God in effect gives them what they want, and in the process sends a plague along with quail and it seems to only kill those who “craved meat from Egypt” (verse 33-34).

I’ve often confused my cravings with God’s desire for me. I’ve often cried out, “What is taking so long?” I’ve often acted on cravings and excused them with “I deserve,” and today I am convicted that it is all Egypt and I am reminded, I’ve been freed from Egypt and have power over my cravings.

What is it you deserve? What cravings are you excusing? Where might you need the grace of God to redeem you and remind you that you have been made free?