"We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic."
— Numbers 11:5 (NIV)
Smell is deeply tied to memory. A single aroma can transport us to a different time—childhood, celebration, tragedy, or even temptation. And while scent can stir godly reflection, it can also awaken nostalgia for the very places God delivered us from.
In Numbers 11, the Israelites complained about their current condition in the wilderness and longed for the flavors and smells of Egypt—forgetting that Egypt was the place of their bondage.
They missed the scent of slavery.
Longing for What God Freed You From
This is the danger of memory without discernment. A whiff of perfume, a specific food, a smoky room, a city street—these things can trigger emotional cravings for a sinful past. Not because the sin was good, but because it felt familiar, easy, or exciting in the moment.
But God didn't save you to make you sentimental about bondage. He saved you to walk in freedom.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!" — Isaiah 43:18–19
Nostalgia, if not guarded, can become a spiritual trap.
Application: Don't Romanticize Egypt
Egypt, in the Bible, often represents a place of slavery, sin, and idolatry. Even if it smelled good or tasted sweet, it was still captivity. God calls His people to look forward—to the Promised Land, not back to bondage.
Ask yourself:
Are there places, people, or scents that stir sinful memories?
Do I ever miss the old life more than I long for God's promises?
Am I romanticizing sin while forgetting the pain it caused?
The wilderness may be hard—but it's where God walks with you.
Prayer to Break the Pull of the Past
Lord, I confess that sometimes I look back longingly on things You have called me out of. Help me to remember why You rescued me—and to see sin for what it truly is. Don't let my senses draw me back into old chains. Fill me with vision for what lies ahead. I choose freedom over familiarity. In Jesus' name, Amen.