Numbers 11:1-9

People Complain

Complaining is epidemic in our society. We complain about: the weather, our husbands, our children, Politicians, Neighbors, Pastors, Churches in the United States of America – the most blest country in the world. We complain about minor inconveniences: Coffee is too cold at Starbucks, Service is too slow at our favorite restaurant, Icemaker does not work, Internet speed is too slow, my I-phone does not fit in the pocket in my designer handbag, major repair bill for luxury boat and motor home.

Here in this text, the Israelites complain and grumble. But so do we. Is it default mode to voice my dissatisfaction for every inconvenience?

Complaining is a sin and reveals a lack of trust/Faith in God.

This is not the first time the Israelites have voiced complaints. God did not reprimand them when they complained earlier. They were in a brand new relationship with God. But a year has passed since the exodus from Egypt, time to learn about God’s character and who He is. Now they should know better, so God judges them. The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” “Rabble” refers to the foreigners who left Egypt with the Israelites. But the Israelites join in complaining quickly.

Complaining is extremely contagious.

Complaining is an infectious disease that passes from one person to the next. Like a wild fire, it starts small but becomes out of control quickly. They begin to remember their time in Egypt fondly.  The Israelites have selective memory. The reality is: They were slaves in Egypt for 400 years, Nothing was free in Egypt, Their lives were miserable, They were forced to labor in hot Egyptians sun, They had emotional losses – their newborn sons were killed because Pharaoh believed they were becoming too numerous. Their vision is over-inflated. Their memory is flawed. Their perspective on the present was distorted. They should have realized that every day they woke up to miracle of manna.

Complaining results when we idealize the past and we fail to trust in God’s present provision.

Complaining is the opposite of faith. Complaining misconstrues the past and mistrusts God’s provision. In faith, our gaze is fixed on the future and God’s promises.

Am I so focused on what I don’t have that I fail to be grateful for what I do have? The solution to complaining is faith and trust in God. Belief in God’s mercy, goodness, faithfulness, graciousness and generosity is the antidote for complaining.

Faith in God is the antidote to complaining.

God’s goal is my eternal spiritual well-being and His glory. Do my words, actions, attitude, complaining says I can do it better than God?