Just a thought going into the weekend.

I was reading my Bible this morning and part of what I was reading came from Numbers 10-12. In chapter 11 something amazing happens with the people of Israel; they begin to grumble and complain about where they are and what they have. (I guess not much has changed over the years, has it?) It begins with a few but quickly spreads like wildfire. Actually by the time chapter 11 is over and chapter 12 begins the grumbling and complaining has even spread among the leaders, namely Aaron and Miriam.

At each point during these two chapters the Lord deals with the people, and with each instance the discipline gets more intense. I was drawn to something toward the end of chapter 11. It really got my attention. The people had a tendency to name the place they were with what was going on at the time, and this time and place were no different.

They had begun to complain against God's provision of manna. As they complained to the Lord and Moses about God's provision, they began to say how good things were in the past. They remembered the fruits and vegetables, the spices and flavors, the meat and potatoes, but they seemed to have forgotten the chains and bondage. So the Lord told Moses to get the people ready for some meat. He was going to give them enough meat to last longer than they wanted it to. The Lord brought them quail. Quail was in front of them, quail was behind them, it was beside them. Scripture tells us it surrounded them a whole days journey any way they wanted to go. That was an abundance of quail! God gave them just what they wanted, just what they asked for. And along with all the quail, God gave them His judgment. That's right, judgment. It made God mad that His people weren't satisfied with what He was giving them. He gave them what they thought they wanted, but He judged them. They had a big grave digging party, because God killed a bunch of them.

They named that place Kibroth-hattaavah, which means Graves of Craving. Be careful what you complain about. Be careful what you crave. God just might give it to you.