The people argued, "How can this man give us flesh to eat?" To eat and drink the Lord's portion of an offered sacrifice was considered (later on in the Jewish tradition) a desecration or offensive because it was believed that the sacrifice belonged to God. To consume the life force, to consume God, was believed to be a sacrilege.

But despite the religious calcification of the covenant tradition, the heart and spirit of the covenant tradition did break through at various times. One such time was when David ate the bread which was considered to be the Lord's portion and which only the priests were allowed to eat. (1 Samuel 21) Certain priests were consecrated and therefore held an exclusive right and holy privilege to eat the holy bread that was set apart for the temple sacrifice. Through thi…