Complainers and whiners. We all know a few. Children are prone to that behavior - they complain they don’t like what’s for dinner, they don’t like their teacher, they’re bored, on and on. It’s not very pleasant to listen to, and hopefully their behavior matures as they get older. Complaining and whining is an even sorrier sight when it repeatedly comes from adults. It’s not pleasant to be around, and God is not happy with that behavior, either. Our Old Testament reading this week comes from the Book of Numbers where we’ll see how a whole nation fell to complaining and whining against God.
As our passage begins, we read of the people of Israel complaining about what God was providing them to eat (vs 4-6). From when they left slavery in Egypt till when they entered the Promised Land, God had miraculously provided them with manna to eat. They did not have to go out and hunt for it. They did not have to plant or harvest it. God provided it free of cost, every single day regardless of the weather or season. Yet the people started to complain. It was boring, every single day. They wished they had the food they had eaten while as slaves in Egypt. The Israelites had a growing contempt for God’s provisions, given to them at no cost. They lost their taste for the gifts God had given.
Too often we focus more on what we don’t have, and stop being thankful for what we do have. How about the house or car I have? Am I thankful to God for them, or do I complain and whine that they aren’t what I’d rather have? We can say the same thing about our jobs, clothes, anything we have. People can always find something to complain about. Instead of looking around for something to moan about, look for something to praise God for. Count your blessings (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). God blesses an obedient spirit, but will judge a complaining one. We can’t grumble and honor God at the same time. Remember all of the blessings He has given us.
We should be careful to not hang around with complainers. In our account today, the complaining first started out with a smaller group of people. They were complaining and whining, and then over a short period of time, it spread all around so that soon the majority were complaining to Moses about the food. If we are always hanging around with complainers soon we will be singing their song. Complaining poisons the heart with ingratitude, and is contagious. God has to judge it, which He did with the Israelites.
Another thing that our complaining does is it makes other people, those who have to hear our whining, very miserable (vs 10-15). The people were continually moaning and crying to Moses, and soon he couldn’t take it anymore, and he poured out his heart in grief to God. God was tired of it, too. He answered Moses’s prayer for relief, and that of the people with their complaining, and told Moses He would give them meat to eat, so much meat that they would be sick of it (vs 19-20).
All of this complaining had worn Moses down, and this great servant of God had a moment of disbelief that God could do what He said He would do (vs. 21-22). How could God possibly get enough meat to feed over 600,000? Moses was looking at the creature rather than the Creator. God’s promises don’t depend on man for their fulfillment (vs. 23). God’s power will never diminish! What He says He will do, He will do!
Let us remember the fate of the Israelites. Because of their unbelief in God and His power, and their continual complaining and whining, they had to wander through the wilderness for 40 years until that generation died. When we say that what God has given us isn’t good enough, we reject Him. Let us remember to praise and thank Him for all that He has done for us, and all of His blessings.
Sarah, you’ve done it again. You truly have a gift. Your discussion in this format and the Upper Room have become manna for me. Jeannine
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