Complaint Department

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February 24, 2008 - Exodus 15:22-17:7

Open It

  1. How would you describe the personality of someone who complains a lot?

  2. How does a bad attitude spread to others?

  3. What does it feel like to find a twenty dollar bill when you're short on cash?

Explore It

  1. After the Red Sea, in what condition did the Israelites find themselves? (15:22)

  2. What did the Israelites complain about? (15:23-24)

  3. What happened when Moses threw the stick in the water? (15:25)

  4. What did God say to test the Israelites? (15:26)

  5. The Israelites complained and grumbled to Moses about what? (16:1-3)

  6. How did God say He would test and provide for Israel? (16:4-5)

  7. Moses and Aaron responded to the Israelites grumbling in what way? (16:6-8)

  8. What did Moses tell Aaron to do? (16:9)

  9. How did God appear to the Israelites in the desert? (16:10-12)

  10. With what type of food did God provide the Israelites? (16:13-16)

  11. Moses gave Israel what kind of specific instructions? (16:17-19)

  12. What happened to the food that was kept until morning? (16:20)

  13. How were preparations for food on the Sabbath made? (16:21-26)

  14. What did Moses say to the people who refused to obey his instructions? (16:27-29)

  15. How did Israel complain against God at Rephidim? (17:1-3)

  16. What did God tell Moses to do so He could provide Israel with water? (17:4-7)

Get It

  1. Why is it difficult to be with people who complain a lot?

  2. How were the complaints and grumblings of Israel displeasing to the Lord?

  3. Why do we complain when God doesn't provide when we expect Him to?

  4. How is complaining to God an act of disobedience?

  5. What do you think Moses felt as he tried to handle the attitudes of the Israelites?

  6. What is it like trying to lead a group of people who are a bunch of complainers?

  7. Why does God provide for us on His timing and not ours?

  8. How has God provided for you in the past?

Apply It

  1. How can you say thank you to God today instead of complaining to Him?

  2. What can you do (or not do) this week to trust God to provide for you?

  3. How can God's provision for Israel remind you to be thankful for what you have?

Notes

Exodus 15:23, 27: The waters of Marah are contrasted with the springs of Elim. Marah stood for the unbelieving, grumbling attitude of the people who would not trust God. Elim stands for God's bountiful provision. How easy it is to grumble and complain too quickly, only to be embarrassed by God's help!

Exodus 15:26: God promised that if the people obeyed him they would be free from the diseases that plagued the Egyptians. Little did they know that many of the moral laws he later gave them were designed to keep them free from sickness. For example, following God's law against prostitution would keep them free of venereal disease. God's laws for us are often designed to keep us from harm. Men and women are complex beings. Our physical, emotional, and spiritual lives are intertwined. Modern medicine is now acknowledging what these laws assumed. If we want God to care for us, we need to submit to his directions for living.

Exodus 16:1: The Desert of Sin was a vast and hostile environment of sand and stone. Its barren surroundings provided the perfect place for God to test and shape the character of his people.

Exodus 16:2: It happened again. As the Israelites encountered danger, shortages, and inconvenience, they complained bitterly and longed to be back in Egypt. But as always, God provided for their needs. Difficult circumstances often lead to stress, and complaining is a natural response. The Israelites didn't really want to be back in Egypt; they just wanted life to get a little easier. In the pressure of the moment, they could not focus on the cause of their stress (in this case, lack of trust in God); they could only think about the quickest way of escape. When pressure comes your way, resist the temptation to make a quick escape. Instead, focus on God's power and wisdom to help you deal with the cause of your stress.

Exodus 16:4-5: God promised to meet the Hebrews' need for food in the desert, but he decided to test their obedience. God wanted to see if they would obey his detailed instructions. We can learn to trust him as our Lord only by following. We can learn to obey by taking small steps of obedience.

Exodus 16:14-16: Manna (Exodus 16:31) appeared on the ground each day as thin flakes like frost. The people gathered it, ground it like grain, and made it into honey-tasting pancakes. For the Israelites the manna was a gift-it came every day and was just what they needed. It satisfied their temporary physical need. In John 6:48-51 Jesus compares himself to manna. Christ is our daily bread who satisfies our eternal, spiritual need.

Exodus 16:23: The Israelites were not to work on the Sabbath-not even to cook food. Why? God knew that the busy routine of daily living could distract people from worshiping him. It is so easy to let work, family responsibilities, and recreation crowd our schedules so tightly that we don't take time to worship. Carefully guard your time with God.

Exodus 16:32: The Hebrews put some manna in a special jar as a reminder of the way God provided for them in the desert. Symbols have always been an important part of Christian worship also. We use special objects as symbols to remind us of God's work. Such symbols can be valuable aids to our worship as long as we are careful to keep them from becoming objects of worship.

Exodus 16:36: "An omer is one tenth of an ephah"-this is about two quarts or one tenth of a bushel.

Exodus 17:2: Again the people complained about their problem instead of praying. Some problems can be solved by careful thought or by rearranging our priorities. Some can be solved by discussion and good counsel. But some problems can be solved only by prayer. We should make a determined effort to pray when we feel like complaining, because complaining only raises our level of stress. Prayer quiets our thoughts and emotions and prepares us to listen.

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