But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.
This verse belongs to the recorded history of Israel's wilderness experience. After seeing God's wondrous works of greatness and power, Israel forgot His works and dealings, failed to wait for His counsel, and did not retain in memory His words of warning. They forgot God, to whom they belonged by creation and by redemption.
In that forgetful state they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, intensely craving evil things. The craving was specifically for meat and the fleshpots they remembered from Egypt. It was discontent with and rejection of the food God provided, including bread and water, and a refusal to accept His restrictions. They longed for Egypt, preferring slavery or death to going without meat, and by this craving they tempted and tested God in the desert.
God granted their demand for animal food for a short time, but the indulgence became a curse rather than a blessing. Their gluttony brought disease, plague and death to thousands, and many were overthrown in the wilderness. Their appetite could have been brought into a healthier state by following God's provision and restraint. Had they remembered His wondrous dealings with them, they would not have received reproof.
That history is to be studied to appreciate more fully God's goodness, mercy and love. It is preserved as a warning to God's people in the last days not to follow the same desires and not to repeat Israel's sins of unbelief and rebellion.
This verse belongs to the recorded history of Israel's wilderness experience. After seeing God's wondrous works of greatness and power, Israel forgot His works and dealings, failed to wait for His counsel, and did not retain in memory His words of warning. They forgot God, to whom they belonged by creation and by redemption.
In that forgetful state they lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, intensely craving evil things. The craving was specifically for meat and the fleshpots they remembered from Egypt. It was discontent with and rejection of the food God provided, including bread and water, and a refusal to accept His restrictions. They longed for Egypt, preferring slavery or death to going without meat, and by this craving they tempted and tested God in the desert.
God granted their demand for animal food for a short time, but the indulgence became a curse rather than a blessing. Their gluttony brought disease, plague and death to thousands, and many were overthrown in the wilderness. Their appetite could have been brought into a healthier state by following God's provision and restraint. Had they remembered His wondrous dealings with them, they would not have received reproof.
That history is to be studied to appreciate more fully God's goodness, mercy and love. It is preserved as a warning to God's people in the last days not to follow the same desires and not to repeat Israel's sins of unbelief and rebellion.