Lesson 18 There’s Life in Just One Look at Jesus
Questions 2 and 3
These Israelites sure complain a lot, but don’t we also? It is easy to look critically at the Israelites of old, but if we are honest, we know we complain too. I’m guilty of being a complainer. I complain about the way people drive, high taxes, the amount of rain we get or don’t get, a late flight, sickness, bad tasting food, clothes that have stopped fitting, cost of living, pets that shed, etc.
Question 2. About what things are you tempted to or do you complain?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.
It’s clear from the story in Numbers 21 that complaining is a sin against God When we complain we are essentially saying, “God, you are doing wrong. You should not allow discomfort or inconvenience into my life. I deserve better.” But this type of thinking is incorrect. We cannot tell God what is right because we are sinful and selfish by nature. As His children, we are called to submit to His will for our lives without complaining. Philippians 2:14 (NLT) says: “Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
So the Israelites were complaining against God and against their leaders. They were impatient, they didn’t like the food God provided for them and there were temporary times when there was no water.
God sent snakes among them to put a stop to their whining. It may seem harsh, but God desired that they change and He had a purpose beyond just the momentary complaining of the Israelites.
The snakes God sent were poisonous (like complaining is) and the snake bitten Israelites were dying from the venomous bites, so the whole camp cried out and begged God to take the snakes away from them. This is the proper thing to do.
When we are tempted toward complaining, we should instead cry out to God for relief. He hears. He cares.
Question 3. According to Numbers 21:8 what solution did God provide for the Israelites?
Log in / create an account to enroll or continue where you left off.