Grumbling and God

Numbers 11 starts the long list of moments Israel has with God wherein they question His ways, complain about His provision, and outright misrepresent the facts.

First, there is the very brief account of grumbling in the camp:
Numbers 11:1–3 (ESV) And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. 3 So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

From this moment, another grumbling erupts soon after:

Numbers 11:4–6 (ESV) Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

Notice first how their grumbling leads to totally forgetting what it was like in Egypt. We can do this. We start reminiscing about the past or living in regret of our decisions all the while forgetting what the past was really like. We can do this with sin. We get cleaned up by God's grace only to think "it wasn't so bad" or "why didn't I make it last a little longer?" It's funny how much we lie to ourselves. Israel is being infected by what the scriptures calls, "the rabble that was among them"... Israel had a few Gentiles who came with them out of Egypt. These people caused Israel to start questioning God's intentions for them. Always remember, "bad company corrupts good character." 

Moreover, they are grumbling about the Manna and the Manna was actually very good. Here in Numbers we get a greater description of how the people made it, what it looked like and tasted like. See it in the Message Paraphrase:

Numbers 11:7–9 (The Message) Manna was a seedlike substance with a shiny appearance like resin. 8 The people went around collecting it and ground it between stones or pounded it fine in a mortar. Then they boiled it in a pot and shaped it into cakes. It tasted like a delicacy cooked in olive oil. 9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna was right there with it.

But the saddest part of all is how the grumbling spreads - which grumbling always does.

Numbers 11:10–11 (ESV) Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. 11 Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?

The grumbling not only spread to every man in his tent. The grumbling spirit went all the way to Moses. He has had it. He is burned out. He is ready to die.

How often we think grumbling is no big deal. I have to confess, I'm a grumbler. When I read this passage and saw the anger God displays at this attitude, I was humbled. We need to take grumbling as seriously as God does. 

Philippians tells us that NOT grumbling is what makes us different from a very corrupt world.

Philippians 2:14–15 (ESV) Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

What happens in this chapter is stunning. God brings severe judgment on the people... however, Moses, who complains the longest in the chapter is spared. Why? Because God chose to be merciful to him. Moses, like the people did not deserve God's grace, but got it. Today if you have the opportunity to recognize your grumbling and repent, do so! It is a sign that God is working on you and lighting you up for the world. He will not destroy His own! Child of God, walk humbly and gratefully, trusting that God is working even when life is slow and monotonous. Israel grumbled ON THEIR WAY to a land of Promise. We have an eternal home promised to us. Let us not forget that and let us be glad. 

Amen.