Welcome to Day 27 of our 40-day countdown to Easter! Grumbling Spirit. The children of Israel grumbled against God, who brought them out of Egypt. They had witnessed the signs and wonders but continued to grumble, complain, whine, and disobey the man, Moses, who God appointed as leader. When the children of Israel grumbled, they weren’t grumbling against Moses, they were grumbling against God (Exodus 16:8).
In chapter 16 of Exodus verses 4 through 5, the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”
How often has God done things for us but we quickly forget? God blesses on Sunday, but by the time we arrive to work on Monday, not only have we forgotten the blessing but we have forgotten the one who blessed us, God.
We grumble when someone at work asks us to do something extra. Oh, you smile and say yes but as soon as the boss turns away, the grumbling spirit has its say.
A grumbling spirit is a disrespectful spirit.
A grumbling spirit usually can't see what the leader sees.
A grumbling spirit always has a problem for every solution.
A grumbling spirit breeds false humility. They pretend like they're happy about things but on the inside they are discontent.
A grumbling spirit is a disobedient spirit.
As a reminder, God does not like a grumbling spirit. This behavior akins itself to being ungrateful, disrespectful, and disobedient.
Grumblers quickly forget the goodness of God.
Grumblers disregard, disrespect, and disobey the set authority that God has placed over them in the home, at church, in the community, and at work.
In Exodus chapter 16, verse 11, the bible reads, “The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.”
The last part of the scripture says, then you will know that I am the Lord your God. You would think by now, all that God had done for the children of Israel, they would know him by now.
Well, God knew better. He answered their grumbling cry by providing quail in the evening and meat in the morning. They were not to save any of the food for the next day except on the sixth day. God did not want them working on the sabbath so Moses instructed them to save food only on the sixth day.
God tested the children of Israel to see if they would obey. Some of them saved food for the next day because they did not believe that God could provide for them their daily bread. God was disappointed in them. The food turned to maggots and was a stench in their nostrils.
One lesson to learn from Exodus chapter 16 is that a grumbling spirit is characteristic of someone being ungrateful, disrespectful, and disobedient. A grumbling spirit goes against God’s set authority. A grumbling spirit goes against God.
Scriptural Reading and Application
Read Exodus Chapter 16 and reflect on the behavior of the children of Israel and God's reaction to their behavior. How can you apply this story to your personal life?
Let’s pray…
Oh Lord, My God, forgive me for grumbling, murmuring, and complaining against Your set authority in my home, my community, my church, and at work. I repent of an ungrateful heart. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for my life. Thank you for protecting my family, neighbors, coworkers, boss, and leaders in this country. Thank you for delivering me from difficult situations when I didn’t know any better and when I did know better. Thank you Lord for forgiving me in my times of ignorance. Thank you for giving me another chance. Holy Spirit, renew a right spirit within me that I may know the Lord my God, in the name of Jesus, amen.
~inspiring hope & seasoning faith, Dr. Regina M. Daigre