We are in the nook of Numbers in our Old Testament reading. The book is named for the censuses (censi?) where the Israelites (Num 1 and 26) and Levites (Num 3-4) are counted. But the book could be called "Numbers" because here is where God is thinning the"numbers" of Israelites because of their unbelief. In Numbers 11, the people complained about the hardship of the trip, and fire comes from heaven and destroys part of their camp. They complained about their food, and God sends quail… and a plague that killed many of the complainers.
In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron themselves grumbled against Moses. And perhaps that emboldened the rest of Israel to grumble about Moses after the spies sent into Canaan report about the giants and fortifications in the Promised Land. Soon the whole nations was grumbled against Moses and there was talk of even stoning him (see Num 14:10). Their grumbling and complaining lead to the downfall of that entire generation. Psalm 106:25-26 puts it like this—
25 They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord. 26 So he swore to them with uplifted hand that he would make them fall in the desert.
Grumbling and complaining were not just slips of the lip. They betrayed the lack of faith and negative attitude that kept that generation of Israelite from following God. That is why God is so against grumbling and complaining.
Giving voice to our negative thoughts is something that we do all too naturally and often without a lot of thought. But God hears our grumbling, and He seems to take it very seriously. Listen to some New Testament texts—
- 1 Corinthians 10:10- And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
- Philippians 2:14,15- Do everything without complaining or arguing, that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
- James 5:9- Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
- 1 Peter 4:9- Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
5 comments:
Thank you Tuck, I like Philippians 2:14,15
Anyone who has ever had to spend any length of time listening to grumbling coworkers knows the damage that kind of attitude does. It frustrates the efforts of all and effects the leadership’s ability to rule the group. It impacts negatively the entire group (but especially those who can not leave). There is not always a witness at the door to hear them. But there is always a judge at the door of our heart who hears and knows our every thought and intention; who will help us, if we ask, keep to keep negative attitude behind us as we move forward, drawing closer to our Heavenly father, through His Perfected Law, His True faithful, Holy son, who intercedes on our behalf. We can do better and we will do better. . . we must put the grumbling and complaining attitudes behind us as we work for and move toward a brighter tomorrow for all of us.
You make a great point as usual, but sometimes I think we can go too far the opposite direction. There's a difference between a grumbling, complaining heart that is never satisfied despite the many blessings God provides to us and humbly voicing our complaints and frustrations to God to deliver us from whatever (or whomever) is ailing us.
The Psalms provide many examples of how we can honestly, but reverently approach God and voice our frustrations to him. Psalm 142: 1-2 is one example: "I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble."
God knows our inner most thoughts and feelings, so to pretend things are "just fine" when inside we're angry and frustrated doesn't do our spirit any favors. I don't think being honest and being reverent have to be mutually exlusive, though we often make it that way.
I think Beth Moore makes a wonderful point in her Psalms of Ascent study when she said that "the psalms as a whole have much to teach us, not the least of which is that honesty is not inconsistent with worship". I had never thought about worshiping God in the context of voicing frustrations and complaints to him (assuming we're coming from a place of humility in our approach), but he's secure enough to handle it!
To me it seems attitude makes the difference.
Good points, Kate. We are always to pout out our complaints to God. There is really no point to put on a happy face and pretend we are OK with God. When we are struggling, we need to tell him that; when we are mad at our spouse, boss or the world in general, we need to tell Him. Not only is that therapeutic… God can do something about it! The psalms of lament are the most common type of the psalms.
While Israel complained about their struggles “in the hearing of the Lord” (Num 11:1), this was not lament. “They grumbled in their tents and did not obey the Lord” (Psa 106:25). This was “group complaint” that served to drag down the whole community. In fact, much of the grumbling was “against Moses and Aaron” (Num 14:2). Miriam and Aaron talked “against Moses” (Num 12:1). James says, “Don’t grumble against each other” (Jam 5:9). Most of our grumbling isn’t directed to God (lament) but it is complaining about our spouse, our boss or the world in general directed TO others.
You are absolutely right-- the difference is attitude. Lament is a sign of faith. Moses (and God) would have been thrilled if the Israelites would have shared their struggles with God in the context of prayer and worship. But getting together to grumble and complaint about how things were going… that annoyed God!
Reverence is what God deserves; He has it from those who seek and know him, He will have it from every creature. Dishonesty before our Lord would be like kicking against a brick wall. Grumbling is contagious and like the flow it should not be shared with the crowd.
Our God knows our troubles and is capable of delivering us, I have been reminded of (Psalms 37: 23-24), (Proverbs 3:5-8) and (Ephesians 6:17). Thanks to an old white haired father who has endured much grumbling and complaints. He will be in my thoughts and in my prayers until one of us dies first. He knows and understands more about the history of the bible than anyone I know and I trust his more than any I have ever known. I want to sit down and talk to him.
Did I say flow? Grumbling or complaining in public is like the flu (or a cold). It is best that it not be broadcast to those who don’t need to know.
I think Tuck, did a good job of explaining what the Israelites were doing and why God was so angry with them.
We should never be afraid to communicate genuine concerns in a positive way.
Kate also appears to have a clear mind about these matters.
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