Exodus 16:1–12 (ESV) —
1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ” 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”
NOTE: Children throw tantrums when they don't get their own way. Adults are a little more subtle: they grumble, which is also a form of gossip. I find it interesting that some people will grumble to a friend out loud, not just in a normal speaking voice, but a little bit above normal, so that others will hear.
As a leader, grumbling is very disheartening. I suppose that is the intent of the person. And if that is true, it is very selfish. Leadership is not as glamorous as others make it out to be, especially when you care for your employees or the flock. There is a psalm that comes to mind when I hear grumbling …
Psalm 62:3–4 (ESV) —
3 How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah
The lesson is clear: don't grumble. Support your leaders. They carry a huge burden.
Galatians 6:2 (ESV) — 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
PONDER:
- Am I a supporter of leadership or a grumbler?
- Do I care more about my way and what I get, or can I let go of selfish needs?
PRAYER: Father, it is our sin nature which leads us to hurt others through constant grumbling. I have a non-Christian friend who is characterized by the phrase "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." Help me to never be that person.
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