The children of Israel were out in the wilderness, led there by the living God.
They complained about the adversity.
How do you put up with others complaining? What does this show about a person who complains all the time? I don’t know about you but I tend to shut them out, till I cannot hear them anymore. Moses was at his wit’s end with those people!
When on a mission trip or a trip out of town, there are always things which come up and are worthy of complaints.
How does complaining make the situation better?
It does not! Complaining does not change anything!
The LORD heard the complaints of His people and it made Him angry! In fact, one time on the wilderness journey, the people were complaining about the adversity of being in the wilderness and the LORD’S patience came to an end. He sent fire among them and consumed some. People cried out to Moses and He cried out to the LORD, then the fire died out. Numbers 11:1-3
The people remembered the meat they had to eat – in Egypt. The land where they were slaves. They had fish, leeks, game, cucumbers and onions. They remembered the good food! In the desert, they forgot about the harshness of being slaves. Numbers 11:4
The LORD sent manna, every morning, which the people would gather and use throughout the day for their meals. They wanted more … meat. They complained about the lack of meat. Moses heard the people weeping – the LORD was angered which was greatly kindled against His people. And Moses? Moses was displeased with the people. Numbers 11:10
When Moses went to the LORD, he asked questions. Why are You so hard on Your servants? Why have I found favor in Your sight? Why have You burdened me with these people?
Numbers 11:11
You told me to carry these people close to my heart. Where do I get meat for these people? We are out in the wilderness, we don’t have access to a store or individuals who can supply us with meat for about two million people. They weep saying “Give us meat to eat.” Numbers 11:12-13
Moses was at his wit’s end to try to give these people what they impossibly wanted.
The LORD had a solution to the problem and for Moses’ dilemma. Moses needed help, so 70 elders were appointed to help him carry this burden. Numbers 11:16-17
The LORD told Moses I will send meat till the people are sick of it. I will send meat every day for 30 days.
Moses couldn’t believe his ears! You mean to tell me You will send enough meat for 600,000 men, besides women and children?
God’s power is not limited.
His ways have unlimited possibilities.
The next day, the wind blew bringing quail into camp. Some of the people greedily ate the quail without cooking it. The LORD, displeased with their greed, sent a plague which took many lives. Numbers 11:18-35
The people needed to cook the quail first, before eating it.
God’s Word ~ Alive!
Proverbs 11:6
“The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
But the treacherous will be caught
by their own greed.”
From complaining to greed, God gets disgusted!
Do you accept your circumstances without complaining?
About what are you greedy or complaining?
Complaining reveals that people do not trust God!