Why We Complain: Learning from Moses and the Israelites

Throughout the history of the Old Testament, we see the diabolical trio of doubt, worry, and fear wreak havoc among God’s people. When God calls Moses to lead the people of Israel out of captivity, he doubts that he is up to the task, saying that he is slow of speech. As soon as God has caused the Egyptians to free the Israelites, they immediately begin to fear that God won’t save them from the people he had just freed them from. In Exodus 14:10-11 the Egyptian army is overtaking them as they are camping by the sea. “And as Pharoah drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, ‘Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt?’” They truly didn’t seem to grasp the depth of God’s love for them or the scope of his protection.

After He miraculously delivers them once again, this time by actually making a path of dry ground through the middle of the sea, you would think they would finally get it. Especially when they watch him close that sea over their enemies, destroying Pharoah’s army once and for all. But just three days later they are grumbling about the water being bitter. So God made the water there sweet.

Where Does Complaining Come From?

 Let’s take a minute to look at what complaining really is. When we complain, we are saying that we are not satisfied with the way things are right now in our lives. We may complain about the weather, about our neighbors, about a job situation. But whatever we are complaining about is just an expression of our doubt that God is giving us His best.

Whatever we are complaining about is just an expression of our doubt that God is giving us His best.

Therefore, when the Israelites complained that Moses had just brought them out of Egypt to be killed at the Red Sea, they were expressing their doubt that the God who had just klled all the firstborn sons of Egypt but spared their firstborn sons could make a way to save them. Even though the Angel of the Lord was going before them, and they had the visible presence of God in the form of a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night, they still doubted. (See Exodus 13:22 and 14:19)

We’ve already seen what God did. He parted the sea and made a way for them to pass through, then as an extra demonstration of His power, drowned all their enemies who tried to pursue them. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take long for the grumbling to start again. Now they want food. They say “Why did you bring us out here to starve in the desert?” (Paraphrased from Exodus 14:11) They are both worried and fearful. They doubt that God can provide enough food in the desert, and that doubt gives birth to worry about their hungry tummies and fear that they’ll end up dead. Once God begins his gracious provision of manna, they complain again because there’s no meat. So God provides yet again.

They see God’s repeated power and provision, yet they continue to doubt Him. When Moses is on Mount Sinai, they slip into deep doubt which leads  them to ask Aaron to take over. I can’t imagine what Aaron was thinking when he decided to make the golden calf. He had been an up-close and personal witness to God’s incredible power. Yet perhaps he felt fear because of the people or was worried about Moses’ having been gone so long. For whatever reason, Aaron gives into unbelief and leads Israel into the deep sin of idolatry.

After that when they are about to arrive at the promised land and Moses sends out spies to survey the land, we see the same pattern. Of the 12 spies that Moses sends in Numbers 13, only 2 respond in faith and belief. Ten of them are filled with doubt, worry, and fear. Unfortunately, the whole tribe of Israel is swayed by the 10 and responds by lifting their voices and crying loudly, then grumbling to Moses, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!” (Numbers 14:1-2) Their unbelief is a very costly mistake. Sometimes our unbelief cheats us out of tremendous blessings, and that’s exactly what happened to an entire generation of Israelites.

You Don't Have to Complain (Avoiding the Pitfalls of Moses and the Israelites)

How can you keep from acting like the Israelites did? It all begins with belief. Do you believe that God is who He says He is? Do you believe that He can do what He says He will do? Do you believe that he loves you with an infinite love? That belief is what it takes to overcome the doubt at the root of complaining.

The next time you start to complain, remind yourself of who your God is. Remember what He has done for you in the past. Lean into belief, and your complaints will turn into praises! What do you have to praise Him for today?