EXODUS 16
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.’” – Exodus 16:6-12
EXODUS 16 THE SIN OF GRUMBLING
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When the Israelites grumbled to Moses and Aaron
They had no idea that they were doing it unto the Lord
Moses asked Aaron to explain to them that it was a sin against God
And the Lord appeared in the cloud as Aaron spoke to the congregation
The Lord responded to their grumbling by providing them their desires
It was to make them see that he is faithful despite their complaints.
What makes one grumble? Isn’t it about something that you currently do not possess? It could be a desire to be comfortable, to be respected and honored or to be looked up to or fully satisfied or to be clear of discomfort or pain or many other reasons. Isn’t craving or desiring something you don’t have the culprit of such complaints? Aaron pointed out to God’s people that it was a sin against God. They thought that if they complained to Aaron and Moses, they could ask God to give them what they wanted. We saw here how God provided what they were whining about but he also showed them that it was a sin of mistrust on him. They were impatient to wait on the Lord to provide for their needs.
REFLECTION
· What causes you to grumble? Why is grumbling considered a sin against God?
