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Israel Complaining in the Wilderness: Numbers 2-14
God had brought the children of Israel out of Egyptian slavery to bless them as His own special people. He spared them during the plagues, then He demonstrated His power time and again after bringing them out. He provided for them and protected them. One would think that people under God’s provision and protection would be happy and satisfied; but the children of Israel were not.
From the time they left Egypt they began complaining about their conditions (Numbers 2-14). Even after witnessing first-hand the mighty works of God, such as the parting of the Sea and the wonders at Mt. Sinai, they still murmured about their situation, sometimes even expressing a desire to go back to the labor in Egypt. When they complained like that, they were really showing that they did not appreciate all that God was doing for them. They were not thankful for God’s provision and protection (e.g., water, manna, quail).
Their complaining also showed that they did not have faith in God. All of this murmuring and fussing would not go unpunished. Ultimately, it would keep that generation from entering into the promised land. God was not pleased with their behavior.
In the New Testament, Christians are warned not to be like the children of Israel in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-12; Hebrews 3-4). “Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” We are to show gratitude to God for what He has done for us. Murmuring shows just the opposite.
Discussion
1. What were some of the complaints that the people had after they left Egypt?
2. How did God feel about the grumbling? How about Moses?
3. In what ways did God protect and provide for His people? Give examples.
4. Why is it so important that we don’t complain about things today? What does complaining indicate about a person?
5. How can we avoid acting like the Israelites when they murmured?