LINK: Numbers 11
BACKGROUND
The people were only three days into their march toward the Promised Land and they started complaining about their hardships (11:1) and lack of meat (11:4)! Only a year earlier, three days after crossing the Red Sea and God's miraculous deliverance, they had complained about the food too (Exodus 16)! The Lord heard their complaining to one another, and He sent fire. He sent them meat to eat, but he also sent a plague. God's wrath was swift toward the complaining, ungrateful Israelites.
By the way, the rabble referred to in 11:4 is believed to be a mixed crowd of Egyptians and others who had followed Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 12:38).
REFLECTION
Have you ever thought about the fact that the Israelites complained and God's wrath was unleashed, but Moses complained and God answered him with the provision of seventy elders to share in his responsibility? What is the difference?
I think the difference is that the people complained to each other and exhibited very ungrateful and unbelieving hearts, but Moses took his complaint to God, acknowledging that He was in control.
APPLICATION
How often will I complain to another person instead of bringing a matter directly to God who is the only One who can really solve the problem anyway? How about you? Is there an issue you need to bring to Him now?
PRAYER
Gracious provider God. We are so grateful for the food we eat, the shelter in which You protect us, the fellowship in which You surround us. All things come from You. Help us to come to You instead of complain about You to other people. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
5 comments:
Really valuable insight here, Carol: "I think the difference is that the people complained to each other and exhibited very ungrateful and unbelieving hearts, but Moses took his complaint to God, acknowledging that He was in control."
Thanks!
Your application really hit home. How often do I complain to others rather than asking God for help? I did it today, in fact.
Thanks for the friendly reminder. :)
I agree that the difference is the attitude of heart and where they went with their complaints.
One attitude difference was pride. The people thought they deserved meat and claimed that life in Egypt was better than life here with God. On the other hand, Moses was saying to God, "I can't do this on my own power; please help me" (paraphrase). Moses was humbled before God, seeing his own inadequacies.
Another attitude was greed. Greed is a part of being ungrateful. And God was obviously displeased with those who were very greedy with the quail.
Carol, I think your application is spot on! Hard to remember at times, but definitely a good point!
Complaining. Oh boy. God does not mind when we go to him and talk about things. He wants us to be honest, but then we hear him and surrender. It isn't a forced surrender. We are free to choose. He knew what he was doing. I had a friend who was complaining recently. I was lovingly bold about pointing that out to him.
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