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The Book of Numbers documents a recurring pattern of grumbling, defiance, discipline, and death. Rebellion didn't start with an uprising, but with criticizing Moses and murmuring against God. For us, like them, dissatisfaction and discontent, if allowed to remain in our lives, can easily lead to disaster.

Numbers 11:1-6 Numbers 11:10-20 Numbers 11:31-34

1. In what ways did desert living subject the Israelites to hardships?
2. As they recalled "the good old days" (vv. 4-5), what negative aspects of life in Egypt did the Israelites ignore? What things that God was doing for them did they overlook?
3. Were the people complaining about a lack of nutritious food or a lack of menu choices?
4. Why do you think God was angered by the people's complaining, but tolerated Moses' complaints?
5. To whom did Moses complain? Do you get the sense that the people complained more to the Lord or to each other?
6. Have you ever thought of an answer to prayer as potentially hazardous?
7. Can you recall a time when getting what you asked for in prayer was, or would have been, costly?
8. What does this passage tell you about prayers based on a sense of entitlement rather than submissive trust?

Ask God to deliver you from a complaining spirit that undercuts trust and faith in God's wise and good actions.

Numbers 11:1-6
1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord's anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp. 2 Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped. 3 After that, the area was known as Taberah (which means "the place of burning"), because fire from the Lord had burned among them there.

4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. "Oh, for some meat!" they exclaimed. 5 "We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!"

Numbers 11:10-20
10 Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. 11 And Moses said to the Lord, "Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people? 12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors? 13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, 'Give us meat to eat!' 14 I can't carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! 15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!"

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Prayer for the Week

Teach me, Lord, to avoid complaining, since You are offended by the lack of trust it reveals.

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