And the whole congregation grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of HaShem 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” (16:2-3)
It’s one and a half months since they left Egypt (16:1). I’m pretty sure that they ate something in the last forty-five days or so, but at this point they are hungry. Hungry enough to have forgotten about their former misery and instead were longing for the good old days of Egypt. You remember – those days when they groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help (Exodus 2:23)?
How soon we forget!
Note also that they are grumbling against Moses and Aaron.
It is common to look back on “the good old days” when we are uncomfortable, when we have problems. It is common to see each current problem as “the worst ever!” It is common to complain and grumble.
Perhaps things are harder for you in some way than they were before. But ever since this world and human beings were affected by the first sin, there have been problems. We go through times of green pastures, but we also go through dark valleys. And there are often brown patches in our green pastures. But what to do about them? Hint: not complain.
The people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and Moses said, “HaShem has heard your grumbling that you grumble against Him- what are we? Your grumbling is not against us, but against HaShem” (16:8).
When we grumble and complain, even if we don’t think we are doing so, we are grumbling and complaining against God – either we think deep down that He is not doing “it” right, or He is not involved, or …?
We will see how God is going to use this situation to teach His people some very important things.
God says through the writer of Hebrews: It is for discipline that you have to endure, God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? (Hebrews 12:7) And: For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11). In the context of Hebrews, the writer is talking about persecution, but God does use all trials for our growth if we work with him and don’t complain.
James talks about this: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
Many years ago we were with family friends, and I forget exactly what negative thing happened, but the husband reacted to the mishap by reciting, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Psalm 103:1). I was impressed and that stuck with me.
One day I was carrying a large pickle jar, and I dropped it. It broke into pieces! Broken glass, pickles, and pickle juice were everywhere, including a nearby carpet. I stood, shocked and appalled, and then remembered to proclaim loudly, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy Name!” I confess this is not my usual go-to when faced with a trial (although I would like it to be). Just reciting those words, helped me.
It’s not simply about putting on a smile and faking it. Trials should draw us to God, to get His perspective and help. He wants us to go to Him. But not to grumble and complain.
Prayer: Thank You for the reminder in this passage that when we grumble, we are grumbling against you. Help me not to grumble, even in my thoughts, but to “count it all joy” and turn to You for the trials in my life.
