In Numbers 11:4-5, we see how the Israelites, after being miraculously delivered from Egypt, began to complain and long for the things of the past: \u201cOh, for some meat!\u201d they exclaimed. \u201cWe remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.\u201d They had forgotten that while they had those comforts in Egypt, they were also enslaved. Sometimes we too can look back at our past, remembering only the pleasant parts, and forget the pain and suffering that accompanied them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Numbers 11:18-20, God heard their complaints and responded: \u201cYou were whining, and the Lord heard you when you cried, \u2018Oh, for some meat! We were better off in Egypt!\u2019 Now the Lord will give you meat… You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and you have whined to Him, saying, \u2018Why did we ever leave Egypt?\u2019\u201d Sometimes, in His sovereignty, God allows us to have what we desperately crave, even when it\u2019s not what\u2019s best for us. The Israelites desired something from their past, and God allowed them to experience it\u2014but at a cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The quail they longed for was provided in abundance, as described in Numbers 11:32: \u201cSo the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels!\u201d They worked hard for the quail, expending energy to gather it, unlike the manna, which God had freely provided without effort. When we step outside God\u2019s will and try to recreate past experiences, we often find ourselves working harder and struggling more, instead of resting in His provision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But their craving came with dire consequences. In Numbers 11:33-34, \u201cWhile they were gorging themselves on the meat\u2014while it was still in their mouths\u2014the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and He struck them with a severe plague. So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means \u2018graves of gluttony\u2019) because there they buried the people who had craved meat from Egypt.\u201d Their desire for something outside God\u2019s plan led to their downfall. Craving what God has delivered us from can be dangerous, and stepping back into old patterns, even out of longing for comfort, can lead to destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reflecting on this, we must recognise that God delivers us from certain situations for a reason. Sometimes, in our human frailty, we crave what we once had, even when it caused us pain or bondage. But God, in His infinite wisdom, knows what is best for us. When we reject His provision and long for something from our past, we are rejecting His perfect plan for us. As it says in Proverbs 14:12: \u201cThere is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When God rescues us from a difficult or toxic situation, we may find ourselves tempted to go back, focusing on the “good times” and forgetting the suffering. But craving something similar to what God has already removed from our lives can lead us astray. Like the Israelites, we can find ourselves in danger if we insist on returning to what God has pulled us out from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, we should rest in His mercy and trust His wisdom. He knows why He removed us from certain situations, and He has something better in store, even if we don\u2019t see it right away. Let us be grateful for His deliverance and not look back longingly at what was, but forward with hope for what He has prepared for us. Be content with what God provides, for He knows what you need before you even ask (Matthew 6:8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In moments when you feel lonely or miss the comfort of the past, remind yourself of God’s goodness and His perfect timing. As Philippians 4:11 reminds us: \u201cI have learned how to be content with whatever I have.\u201d Embrace the freedom that comes from God\u2019s provision and trust in His plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be grateful, even in moments of lack, because the things God delivers us from are often the very things that could destroy us. As you walk in faith, know that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:9), and He always works for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have a blessed day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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