One person resided in Europe, though his origins were from Asia. By hard work, he became rich, but spent all his riches on himself. Generosity was not a characteristic of his lifestyle. He became nostalgic about his country and his childhood days. Remembering a fruit, he wanted to relive old days by tasting those fruits. Immediately, he booked his tickets to that country, just to eat those fruits. After enjoying the fruits, he boarded a flight back home, which crashed, and he died.
Freedom or Food? God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian slavery, led them to the Promised Land. However, not valuing freedom and God’s provision of manna, they craved for meat. God’s great deliverance, His glory and miracles, covenant, and Promised Land were of no value to them. The next meal was more important for them. The Bible records that as ‘wanton craving.’ God provided them with what they desired, but before they could enjoy it, a plague struck them, and many died. (Psalm 106:14)
Firstborn rights or food? Esau was indeed exhausted after his hunting expedition. Surely, he was hungry. He saw his younger brother Jacob cooking stew. (Genesis 25:29-34) Esau asked Jacob to share some stew as he was hungry. But Jacob was cunning and shrewd. He demanded that Esau give up his Firstborn rights. The Firstborn’s right included assets, a leadership role in the family, and covenant blessings. Esau did not esteem or regard those privileges of the Firstborn. He simply gave it away. Later, he repented, sought with tears, but in vain. (Hebrews 12:17) Sadly, his repentance was rejected.
Food, eternal or temporal? The Lord Jesus Christ fasted for forty days and forty nights. As He was fully God and fully man, he was hungry. Satan tempted the Lord, stating: He could prove His credentials as the Son of God by turning stone into bread, and also satisfy Himself. The Lord replied: “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Do I realize the temporal value of food and the danger of craving?