Part 1 questions the use of this verse:
“Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” 1 Corinthians 10:11.
It is important to acknowledge that eating flesh was not a moral issue for the early Christian church. Of course certain conditions continued to apply as per Acts 15.
But it is still appropriate to apply this verse today, in principle, to our context. Indeed, that which they lusted for was that which God had not allowed, and in fact was flesh. He gave it to them, but “sent leanness into their soul” Psalm 106:15.
“In choosing man’s food in Eden, the Lord showed what was the best diet; in the choice made for Israel He taught the same lesson. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and undertook their training, that they might be a people for His own possession. Through them He desired to bless and teach the world. He provided them with the food best adapted for this purpose, not flesh, but manna, “the bread of heaven.” It was only because of their discontent and their murmuring for the fleshpots of Egypt that animal food was granted them, and this only for a short time. Its use brought disease and death to thousands. Yet the restriction to a nonflesh diet was never heartily accepted. It continued to be the cause of discontent and murmuring, open or secret, and it was not made permanent….
“By departing from the plan divinely appointed for their diet, the Israelites suffered great loss. They desired a flesh diet, and they reaped its results. They did not reach God’s ideal of character or fulfill His purpose. The Lord ‘gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.’ Psalm 106:15. They valued the earthly above the spiritual, and the sacred pre-eminence which was His purpose for them they did not attain.” The Ministry of Healing, pp. 311, 312
With this in mind, the point to “not lust after evil things,” referring in our day to eating flesh, to one who has this knowledge, is not out of line.
