Complainers

Exodus 16:2-15

Nothing can ruin a nice day quicker than having to spend it with a complainer. It’s even worse if you’re with the complainer on a long trip! Nothing is good for them.  They’re hungry, but then they don’t like the food. They’re thirsty, too hot or too cold, tired, uncomfortable, bored, etc, etc, etc.  We might expect that from little children, but it’s much worse when this comes from adults. This is what Moses is facing from the Israelite people in our Scripture today. Let’s look at our passage, and see what God can teach us.

It was only a few weeks prior to our account that God had miraculously delivered the people from slavery in Egypt, including parting the waters of the Red Sea.  Now they are complaining to Moses and Aaron that they have nothing to eat (vs 2-3). After they crossed the Red Sea, they entered a wilderness desert area, a hostile environment of sand and stone.  Rather than trusting God, who had proven His love and care for them, they complained and worried. When our situation isn’t ideal, instead of immediate complaints, try to look for something positive.  Even in the desert there is some beauty. Desert flowers can be some of the most beautiful, along with desert sunsets.

Imagine having been in slavery for multiple generations, then being miraculously delivered, and now once free, wishing to return to slavery!  Why? Because you don’t believe God can provide you with food! Just a few weeks ago He had delivered them from slavery to the most powerful nation the world had ever known to date, and prior to that they had witnessed the ten terrible plagues He had brought on the Egyptians.  They had an attitude of negativism and self-centeredness, along with a short memory.

God was gracious, loving, and merciful to the Israelites, despite their ungracious complaints, and He promised them food, manna, for each day (vs 4).  God provided for their needs on a daily basis, not all at once. The miraculous food of manna, which came every morning, lasted only a day. They were to only gather enough manna for each day.  If they gathered more, it rotted (Exodus 16:20). This teaches us to live one day at a time, trusting each day for His provisions. Jesus teaches us the same lesson in the Lord’s Prayer - “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).  God was testing the people to see if they would trust and obey Him.  The Lord sometimes tests us to see if we will obey Him. We might not understand everything, but our obedience will bring blessings.  He will provide for our needs.

The Israelites had seen one miracle after another, God providing and protecting them step after step, but they still lacked faith and worried. Throughout their journey, from the first day onward, the Israelites complained and wished they were back in Egypt. Before we get too critical of them, let’s look at ourselves.  How quick many of us are to forget all that God has done, and continues to do for us. When situations get rough, and stress levels high, complaining and anger is often the response.  This is really a lack of trust in God. Instead we need to focus on God’s power and deliverance.

Complaining about circumstances and blaming others is really complaining against God (vs 8).  Between verses 7 and 9 we read “your complaint” four times, and “you complain” once. I have to ask myself how many times am I complaining, rather than praising God for His blessings and provisions?  After all He has done for us, is it really that difficult to trust Him?

Jesus compared Himself to manna (John 6:48-51).  Just as the manna satisfied the daily physical needs of the people, Jesus Christ is our daily bread who satisfies our eternal spiritual needs.  Have you accepted Him as your personal Savior? If not, do not let another day pass before you call upon Him for salvation.

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