Graves of Craving

The Old Testament book of Numbers takes its name from the two censuses that figure prominently in the book. But, in Hebrew, what we call "Numbers" is called "In the Wilderness." Based on all the complaining, rebellion, and sin that the book recounts, it might be appropriate to suggest that "what happens in the wilderness stays in the wilderness."

(Image to the left courtesy of the Yale Library)

But it is not to be the case. What we read in Numbers, as shocking as it is at times, merely reminds us of our own nature to despise God's provision and care when we can't see the end or goal of our faith.

One such example, a startling one, is the Sending of Quail. Apparently, in Numbers 11, the people had become weary of the manna and "complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes (11:1).

Maybe this is obvious to you, but think about it: if you're going to complain, will you do that "in the hearing of the LORD"? I don't think so!

Anyhow, the people say, "Who will give us meat to eat?" You'd think that a mere change of menu is what they are asking for. But what they say next proves it's not about the Wilderness diet as much as it is the whole, "Following God in the wilderness by faith" idea; they say, "...For it was better for us in Egypt."

Better in Egypt? Better in bondage? Better in slavery? Better under obligation to a tyrant? Better with God having been silent for 400 years? You might as well say, 'I was better off dead.'

And that's what happens. For even though the LORD God promises to feed the meat for a month "till it comes out their noses" (that's literally what God says), He cuts curiously short that plan, and simply strikes down the people with a "very great plague."

As frequently happened, a place got its name in the Old Testament from the major event that took place there. In this case, the place was called Kibroth-hatavaah, because, we're told, "there they buried the people who had the craving."

What does Kibroth-hatavaah mean, you ask? It means "graves of craving."

Graves of Craving. I take this to be an excerpt from the Grand Story of the World, in which we read, both in others and in our own lives, of people going to their graves craving that which kills and destroys. Our appetites refuse to be satisfied with what God provides, and so our cravings take us to our deaths. We get what we craved, and we pay for it with our lives.

Though I've not read the book, I suspect that this is what Tripp means by the subtitle of his book, Addictions, which reads: "A Banquet in the Grave." Feast of death. Dining with the Devil. Selling our souls for bowls of oatmeal, as did Esau.

Will we ever learn?