Topical Bible: Total Abstinence: Israelites in the Wilderness

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Introduction

The concept of total abstinence, particularly in the context of the Israelites during their wilderness journey, is a significant theme in the biblical narrative. This period, spanning forty years, was marked by divine instruction, testing, and reliance on God's provision. The Israelites' experience in the wilderness serves as a profound example of abstinence from certain physical and spiritual indulgences, as they were called to trust in God's sustenance and guidance.

Manna and Abstinence from Egyptian Delicacies

One of the most notable aspects of abstinence during the Israelites' wilderness journey was their reliance on manna, the miraculous bread from heaven. In Exodus 16:4, the Lord declares, "Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day." This divine provision required the Israelites to abstain from the foods they had known in Egypt, symbolizing a break from their past life of bondage and a dependence on God's daily provision.

The Israelites' longing for the foods of Egypt is recorded in Numbers 11:5-6: "We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!" This complaint highlights the struggle between physical cravings and spiritual obedience, as the Israelites were called to abstain from their former diet and trust in God's provision.

Abstinence from Idolatry and Pagan Practices

The wilderness journey also required the Israelites to abstain from idolatry and the pagan practices they had encountered in Egypt. In Exodus 20:3-4, God commands, "You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath." This commandment was a call to spiritual purity and total abstinence from the idolatrous practices that were prevalent in the surrounding cultures.

Despite this command, the Israelites struggled with idolatry, as seen in the incident of the golden calf (Exodus 32). This event underscores the challenge of maintaining spiritual abstinence and the consequences of failing to do so. The Israelites' journey was a continual call to reject the idolatrous influences of their past and to remain faithful to the one true God.

Abstinence from Unclean Foods

The dietary laws given to the Israelites also reflect a form of total abstinence from certain foods deemed unclean. Leviticus 11 outlines the animals that the Israelites were permitted to eat and those they were to avoid. This abstinence from unclean foods was not only a matter of physical health but also a symbol of spiritual separation and holiness. In Leviticus 11:44, God declares, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy."

Abstinence from Sin and Rebellion

Throughout their wilderness journey, the Israelites were repeatedly called to abstain from sin and rebellion against God. The narrative of the spies in Numbers 13-14 illustrates the consequences of failing to abstain from disbelief and disobedience. The Israelites' refusal to enter the Promised Land due to fear and lack of faith resulted in a prolonged period of wandering and a call to abstain from rebellion against God's commands.

Conclusion

The Israelites' experience in the wilderness serves as a powerful example of total abstinence in various forms—physical, spiritual, and moral. Their journey was marked by a call to trust in God's provision, reject idolatry, adhere to dietary laws, and maintain faithfulness to God's commands. This period of testing and reliance on God highlights the importance of abstinence as a means of spiritual growth and obedience.

Nave's Topical Index

Deuteronomy 29:6
You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink: that you might know that I am the LORD your God.
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Discussion of the Subject of Permission
... and, after his death, with the Israelites, and besiege ... own minds, conceive of inactive
quiet, and abstinence from all ... which together make up one total cause of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/discussion of the subject of.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... men, stigmatizing me as a person of THAT rank that need not be heeded or attended
unto.'[8] He inquired of his father"'Whether we were of the Israelites or no ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm