Is Complaining a Bad Sin? Numbers 11:1

We all complain at some time or other, sometimes we call it venting, or expressing ourselves, but what does God think about it?

"Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp." Numbers 11:1.

THE PEOPLE

Today, in the age of grace and the modern church a person might think they have a special covenant and get an exception on some things.  The people of Israel were God's chosen people, they were special but God gave them no slack on the issue of sin.

COMPLAINED

Complaining expresses selfishness, arrogance, superiority, and immaturity. Complaining is the opposite of gratitude.  It insults God who is so generous, grants favor, and gives life.

One wonders what they had to complain about.
     * God had delivered them from slavery and they escaped Egypt.
     * They carried away the treasure of Egypt with them.
     * God was living among them as with no other people.
     * He provided them with the food of angels.
     * And God was leading them to a land of promise.

Yet with the miracles and the blessings they still complained.

IN THE HEARING OF THE LORD

It is not just that God is all-knowing- He hears the unspoken words as well as the shout, but it was compounded because the ones complaining were supposed to be His people and a light to the nations.

The issue was not proximity, though they were close to the Lord, and the tabernacle which represented the presence of the Lord, the issue was status- they were his people so the attitude of complaining was intolerable.

Numbers 11:1

HIS ANGER AROSE.

No one would want to be on the receiving end of God's wrath.  To say His anger arose suggests it grew and manifested itself in the extreme.

FIRE CONSUMED

Complaining cost them and fire consumed edges of the camp.  The people did other sins at other times but the judgment against complaining was the most dramatic which should cause us to think God is really against it.

That God only burned the perimeter shows his anger was mixed with mercy as if God were not happy to carry out judgment.

We may find forgiveness through Jesus for our sins but we still cannot continue in sin without consequences.

The people of the church today do not get any extra leniency for sin than did people of ancient Israel.  We must not tempt the Lord's anger.  We must be vigilant to guard against it.

If you want to learn more about finding God and freedom from sin see my other blog about salvation.

To learn about my books of poems CLICK HERE.

Blessings, 

(c) A.E, Dozat 5/20/15

What Does It Mean When God Turns His Face Toward You. Numbers 6:23

What does it mean for the Lord to turn his face toward you? The phrase comes from the ancient priestly blessing. It was like a public prayer.

"The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:26. NIV.

It is the most beautiful benediction and a wonderful picture of hope. The entire blessing is Numbers 6:24-26.

TURN
Someone turning their face toward you suggests the hope of being seen and recognized by them. Imagine entering a room, and someone you love sees you, and their face lights up with recognition and joy.

This is the idea of attentively watching, like a parent watching a child at a playground; the parent observes with concerns for the child's safety and behavior. The parent has his face turned toward the child out of love, protection, guidance, and even assessing the child. To have God's face turned toward us is wonderful; it means he is full of care, protection, and he is waiting to offer blessing and reward.

PEACE
Ultimate peace can only come from God. The foundation of strife is the sinfulness of man, which puts man in danger of the judgment of the holy, pure, sinless Lord of the Universe. We need peace universally, but first, we must have peace with God- meaning forgiveness of our sins. To have peace with God, we must also have unity with God and his purposes. If we have peace with The Almighty, we will have peace with each other and peace in our hearts.

GIVE
We can never earn or buy peace with The Lord; he is too holy, we are too small, and the price is too great. The benediction points us to hope when it says, "give you peace." Peace with God can only come through the gift of God. He offers us peace based on the sacrifice of His Son Jesus that paid for our transgressions.

HOPE
God may turn his face toward you but without peace. His gaze may be dreadful to the sinner. For The Lord to see us and give us peace at the same time is great hope. He loves us and is looking for us to turn and recognize him, that we may see the light of his love and accept the gift of peace.

(c)Adron Dozat 11/22/11