Numbers 11:4 English Standard Version (ESV) Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat!

This is a warning about strong cravings.

Hebrews 5:14 English Standard Version (ESV) But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

This is a warning about digestion.

As we grow in Christ our spiritual diet of the Word of God goes from milk, to greens, to strong meats. We may even crave strong meat as it is more satisfying but have we discernment gained through much practice to distinguish what is to be digested?

Eating is an apt analogy. Do not bite off too much strong meat at one time. Chew it thoroughly for good digestion. Do not over indulge.

Spiritual consumption of God’s Word is good for the soul if done properly. Eat appropriately. Vary your diet, we need a balanced diet. Do not devalue the foods of our youth just because we see ourselves as grown. Some milk as an adult is good for us.

The rabble called out in Numbers 11:4 is ‘ăsap̄sup̄ and is defined as a mixed multitude. Not all that were freed of Pharaoh’s grip were Israelites. The customs and beliefs of those people remained even though they escaped by the same means. Their grumblings infected some of the Israelites.

Strong cravings indicate a lack of appreciation for the Lord’s provisions.

Now comes the hard part. What diet are you being fed? Is it well rounded or selected to cause you to have strong cravings? Are you hearing an agenda masked by scripture that hammers on one topic, hitting it from every side?

We need to discern good from evil by the power of the Holy Spirit and not be swayed by human emotions.