Dangerous Grumbling

I would like to learn from the experiences of the Israelites as they were rescued from slavery and brought through the desert safely into their own fruitful land. I would like never to need plagues or sinkholes to teach me anything or to discipline me and stop me from spreading grumbling to others. Here are a few things these guys complained about as God led them to a better place, and how God responded:

Exodus 14
Grumble: THE EGYPTIANS ARE GOING TO KILL US! WHY'D YOU BRING US OUT HERE TO DIE?
God's Response: Parting of the Red Sea, bringing them safely across and destroying their enemies.

Exodus 15
Grumble: WE HAVE NOTHING TO DRINK! ARE YOU PLANNING TO KILL US OF THIRST?
God's Response: made the bitter water sweet, then led them to an oasis with twelve springs.

Exodus 16
Grumble: WE HAVE NOTHING TO EAT! ARE YOU PLANNING TO STARVE US TO DEATH?
God's Response: "I will rain down bread from heaven." God gave them manna and quail to eat.

Exodus 17
Grumble: NOW WE HAVE NOTHING TO DRINK AGAIN! YOUT MUST BE OUT TO GET US.
God's Response: made water flow from a rock (but Moses is getting angry now).

Numbers 14
Grumble: WE'RE AFRAID OF THE SCARY PEOPLE! WE DON'T WANT TO GO INTO THE PROMISED LAND.
God's Response: That's IT. Plague - grumbling people died. Also, none of those older people got to enter the promised land. Instead, they got to wander in the desert 40 more years until they died.

Number 16:3
Grumble: WE DON'T LIKE MOSES' LEADERSHIP!
God's Response: God said to Moses: Get away from them so I can kill them without hurting you. But Moses interceded for the grumbling people, and God only killed those who were most responsible. A sinkhole swallowed them up.

Numbers 16:41
Grumble: YOU KILLED THOSE GUYS WHO GRUMBLED! THAT'S NOT FAIR.
God's Response: Another plague.

Numbers 17:5
"I will rid myself of this constant grumbling" says God.

Numbers 17:10
God made "a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against me, so that they will not die."

Just like we do not like to discipline our kids - we want them to do right, so we won't need to discipline them. We like them to ask politely, trust us to provide, and thankfully receive our abundant provision, and trust us again for the future. Which turns into them trusting God for the future we cannot control. Who wants continuously whiny kids? Nobody. Who gets them? Those who don't discipline them, and keep just giving them what they want when they whine. Both roads are hard, but one is more rewarding. Lord, help me trust You, ask You for in faith what I need, be thankful for all You've done and will do, and not whine or grumble.

Posted via web from K's Café