Complaining

The biblical composer recited four cases of "complaining" by the Israelites between the Red Sea and Mount Horeb=Sinai in rapid fire order. Each text relates the complaint and Yahweh's response. PLEASE read each story carefully. Here is a synopsis.

First "complaint"--Exodus 14:10-20.
*Complaint--The Israelites complain that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, but now the Egyptians are sweeping down upon us and we will all die. Verses 11-12.
*Yahweh's response--Yahweh's tells Moses to tell the Israelites to move forward. Then Yahweh tells Moses to lift up his staff and stretch his hand over the sea and divide it. Then Yahweh assures Moses and the Israelites that Yahweh will overthrow the Egyptians. Verses 15-18.

Second "complaint"--Exodus 15:22-27.
*Complaint--The Israelites complain because they cannot drink the water at Marah, because it is bitter. Verse 24.
*Yahweh's response--Yahweh tells Moses to throw a piece of wood into the water. Moses does this, and the water becomes sweet. Verse 25.

Third "complaint"--Exodus 16:1-35.
*Complaint--The Israelites complain because they have nothing to eat, as they did in the land of Egypt. Verse 3.
*Yahweh's response--Yahweh rains upon the Israelites "bread" from heaven. They do not know what it is, so they cry out: "Man Hu," a Hebrew phrase meaning, "What is it?" So they called it "manna." Yahweh also sends quails and covers the camp of the Israelites. Verses 4, 13-15, 31.

Fourth "complaint"--Exodus 17:1-7.
*Complaint--The Israelites complain because they have no water. Verses 1-2.
*Yahweh's response--Yahweh tells Moses to strike a rock at Horeb. When Moses does this, water comes out of it, and the people are able to drink abundant water. Moses calls this place: "Massah," a Hebrew word meaning "test," and "Meribah," a Hebrew word meaning "quarrel."

Here are a couple of observations:
1. All of us human beings are "complainers." I complain, and you complain. Admit it. Often, we assume that "all complaining" is sinful. In my opinion, OFTEN, complaining is sinful. It indicates "lack of faith in God." This sounds true. BUT, I do not believe this is always sinful when people "complain."
2. When the Israelites "complained" between the Red Sea and Mount Horeb=Sinai, Yahweh consistently responded "positively," NOT negatively. Why? Perhaps we will never know, but here are a couple of thoughts.

"Complaining" is like boiling water erupting from the teakettle's spout. Sometimes, it is "good" and "helpful" when a person under great pressure "releases" his or her feelings--rather than keeping it all inside.

"Complaining" may be a "legitimate" means of "letting God know how we really feel" about "difficult problems" in life. This gives God an opportunity to "field" our feelings and then respond. GOD CAN TAKE IT WHEN WE COMPLAIN.

NOW, I am certainly not advocating "complaining, complaining, complaining." BUT, I think there are APPROPRIATE times to "complain" to release our own feelings bubbling in our hearts and chests, and then to listen to God's response to help us out of our dilemmas and frustrations.

Have I gone crazy? Give me your ideas. Trust in God, but God is willing to listen. He wants us to have conversations--honest conversations--about the way we feel. What do YOU think?

John Willis