The Desert Complaint Department
A lesson in what NOT to do–even though God is always faithful. Complaining is a flaw of sinners. It is part of humanity’s sinful condition. We grumble about long lines, prices, people, the weather, and so much more. In the book of Numbers, the Israelites murmured and complained against God until they so exasperated Him that He threatened to destroy them. Yet He remained faithful to them, asGet More Articles—Subscribe Today!
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Thanks for the article which I need to reread and marinate on. I’ve been reading a lot lately about young Israel in the wilderness and beyond and it’s rather sobering, potentially discouraging even. It makes me ask that popular question ‘is this the same God as the New Testament’? Of course I know it is but definitely not warm and fuzzy; I believe we need to put ourselves in Gods shoes and his anger seems more understandable and the peoples complaining not so much.
Love the wrong egg scenario
The reason thisc pastor did not share about the complaining Israelites being judged to help is that Baptists believe in “once saved always saved”. Coming out of Egypt was a type of being saved; Red Sea deliverance all a prototype of the coming New Testament of salvation. So of course the rebellious Israelites
couldn t be sent to he’ll because they were delivered out of the world system- Egypt.
Hebrews 3: 12 is one of many that state if we dont live or abide in Christ we ll be damned. We have nothing to gain our salvation but but the Father., Son and Holy Spirit gives us their all to remain.!
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I like what you wrote and God is full of grace and mercy. But he in the end destroyed the complainers. Why did you leave this part out ? and you said
“Although He confronted and judged the Israelites for their sin, He remained faithful to them. He forgave them and continued to meet their needs and guide them.” Although in part this is true in the end lots were killed by serpents and the destroyer.
They were destroyed because though God had patience and forgave them and continued to meet their needs, they kept on and on and on with the complaints. The important thing to learn from that story is that if you catch yourself being an Israelite in the desert, then stop yourself… pray right away, repent, and try not to do it again. I know its hard…when you are disappointed and angry, that’s just how you feel…but its important to remember that we have the Holy Spirit who can remind us and catch us when we are wrong… the important thing is to listen to His voice, humble ourselves, pray and repent… we are under the pact of grace…we won’t be killed by serpents and the destroyer!