In Exodus 15:22 through chapter 17, we find the Israelites grumbling much like we do today. These chapters of Scripture contrast characteristics of ungrateful people with the faithfulness of the Lord.

Grumblers Are Forgetful

The Israelites grumbled because they had nothing to drink, even though God had just demonstrated His control over water by parting the Red Sea! Yet, we should be fair to the Israelites. They were not asking for luxury — only the bare necessities. Yet out of the bitterness, God made something sweet. Later, when there was no water again in chapter 17, they resorted to complaining once more. They forgot that the God who can control the water can handle their current predicament.

Grumblers Have a Warped View of the World

In chapter 16, the Israelites’ forgetfulness and hunger led to a warped view of the world. They forgot God but remembered the place of their enslavement! They trusted Pharaoh as a better provider than God. Their view was so twisted by what they lacked that they believed they had only been delivered to death. But God did not leave them in their hunger; He brought them bread and meat.

Grumblers Don’t Follow Instructions

God delivered the Israelites to a life of listening, trust, and obedience. His commands for them were not burdensome — He told them to gather food they had not earned and to rest on the seventh day! Still, they refused to obey. They tried to keep manna for the morning when He had forbidden this. As a result, their food stank and was filled with worms, demonstrating what disobedience does.

Grumblers Don’t Know How To Keep Time

The Israelites tried to gather food on the Sabbath when they were called to rest. They trusted in themselves to provide and refused to relinquish their illusion of control. They did not listen to the way the Maker of time had instructed them to keep time. We need to realize that we are utterly dependent on the Lord.

Grumblers Are Experts at Testing God

Israel has been testing God this whole time. The Lord is absolutely fit to test us, but we are not fit to test Him. We are dust, and who is dust to question the Lord? The Lord had actually been testing Israel all along, and these tests had revealed that they were a group of grumblers. All of their complaints arose from their lack of trust in God.

Good News for the Grumbler

After all that grumbling and doubting, we would think God would leave the Israelites to fend for themselves. Instead, we find a loving, patient God who hears, instructs, and even fights for His people.

Do you see a grumbler in yourself? God knows all our needs, and He meets our grumblings with grace. Jesus has given Himself to us to quench our thirsts and satisfy our hunger.

Grumbling is the sound of unbelief, but gratitude is the sound of faith. Let’s stop our complaining and thank the Lord today!