Grumblings

They cried out in the bondage of slavery.  God delivered them.  They cried out in fear, caught between the sea and their pursuing enemy.  God opened the sea, they walked through on dry ground, and He brought the waters down on the enemy.  They cried out for thirst.  God gave them sweet water.  They cried out for food...  All this crying out-grumbling-was in the midst of God's miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the walk through the sea, bitter water made sweet and the guidance of a daily cloud by day and fire by night.  God graciously supplied their needs!  John MacArthur says, "... an attitude of negativism characterizes the whole nation.  Their complaining so soon after benefitting from miracles done by the Lord on their behalf points only to their short-term memory and self-centeredness."  Moses said to them, "He [God] hears your grumblings against the LORD; and what are we [Moses and Aaron] that you grumble against us?"   He goes on to say, after telling them that bread and meat will be raining down from heaven and they will be full, "the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him.  And what are we?  Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD."

WOW!  I must say as a new believer, I was appalled at Israel's fickleness. However, as a thirty-five year veteran, I now stand along side them realizing my lack of praise and over-abundance of grumbling.  I know that as I read the book of Exodus today, I am just like them and it points to my own "short-term memory and self-centeredness".

Moses said to the fearful grumblers right before the miracle of the Red Sea, "Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today...  The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."    Stand by, see, keep silent!  All good advice to us in the midst of hard times!        Exodus 14:13-14; 16:7-8