Complaining of Just Discipline

Numbers 16:41-44: "On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.” 42 Now it happened, when the congregation had gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. 43 Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting. 44 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces."

George Grant has said that the uneducated person lacks the ability to prioritize. This is also true of sinners. We lose our perspective and priorities. The grandeur and immensity of God’s grace in our lives shrinks into the background, while our petty self-interests, squabbles and concerns loom large in our minds. Israel had just been saved from hundreds of Egyptian cavalry, through a parted sea. Now they are afraid God won’t provide for them when they get thirsty. He tests us to see if we will trust him and not complain in the lean times. He tests us to see if we will get selfish in troubled times.

3/21/10