The Danger Of Complaining | The Institute for Creation Research

The Danger Of Complaining

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24).

This was the first occasion—but far from the last—when the people of God “complained” against Moses, and it occurred at the bitter waters of Marah, right after their miraculous deliverance from Pharaoh at the Red Sea. Moses reminded them that they were really complaining, not against Moses, but against God, Himself (Exodus 16:7,8).

Now, since “all these things happened unto them for ensamples . . . written for our admonition” (I Corinthians 10:11), it is most instructive for us today to trace out the progress of God’s response to their murmurings, as He answered first in grace, finally in judgment. To their first complaint, He made the bitter waters sweet (Exodus 15:25). Then, when they murmured about their food (Exodus 16:2,3), God sent them manna from heaven (Exodus 16:8-18). Again they complained about lack of water (Exodus 17:1–4), and God provided a permanent water supply from the smitten rock (Exodus 17:6). But a tragic commentary on these provisions is found in Psalm 106:15: “He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls.”

When the people complained yet again, doubting the ability of their Creator God—the one who had created daily food and drink in the desert for at least two million people—to give protection against their enemies, God finally had to deal with them in judgment, sending them into a 40-year exile in the wilderness, until a new generation could replace the complaining generation (Numbers 14:1–4,27–37). Then, when they complained yet again, God sent a devastating plague that killed many (Numbers 16:11,35,41,49).

The lesson for us is clear: “Do all things without murmurings and disputing: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke” (Philippians 2:14,15). HMM

The Latest
NEWS
Creation's Easter Message
While many Christians still consider the creation doctrine a fringe issue, a proper understanding of the Christian message finds creation at its core...

NEWS
ICR Veteran Don Barber Retires
Don Barber   After 34 years with the Institute for Creation Research, Director of Enterprise Technology Don Barber will retire...

CREATION.LIVE PODCAST
The Sanctity of Life | Creation.Live Podcast: Episode 23
Abortion is a big issue culturally and in the church. How can believers love our neighbors and act as the hands and feet of Christ when it comes...

NEWS
Plant Receptors Are Designed to Control Immunity and Development
God has designed plants to continuously track their environment.1 They do so with specially designed detectors (also called receptors) on...

CREATION PODCAST
Homo Naledi: The Lies Behind Evolution's Rising Star | The Creation...
Homo naledi, once evolution's 'rising star,' was considered to be a prime example of human evolution. But is it really proof? Or...

NEWS
A Subsurface Ocean on Mimas?
Scientists have analyzed data obtained from the Cassini spacecraft and concluded that irregularities in the orbit of Saturn’s moon Mimas indicate...

NEWS
In Theaters March 20 & 21: The Ark and the Darkness
Is Genesis true? What about Noah’s Flood? How did Noah fit the animals on the ark? Wasn’t it a local flood? Have you asked these questions? Though...

NEWS
Enigmatic Fossil Plants
The pre-Flood world thousands of years ago was unlike the world of today.1 Unfamiliar animals and plants were common, and there were a lot...

NEWS
Surprisingly Colorful Fossil Snail Shells
Finding organic compounds such as flexible dinosaur collagen and complete bone cells1,2 is becoming common, much to the shock and consternation...

NEWS
March 2024 ICR Wallpaper
"He is not here; for He is risen, as He said." (Matthew 28:6 NKJV) ICR March 2024 wallpaper is now available for mobile, tablet,...