Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the act of complaining is often depicted as a response to dissatisfaction or discomfort, frequently directed towards God or His appointed leaders. Complaining is portrayed as a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan. The Bible provides numerous examples of complaints, particularly among the Israelites during their wilderness journey, which serve as cautionary tales about the spiritual dangers of grumbling.Old Testament Instances: 1. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is marked by repeated instances of complaining. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from slavery, they frequently expressed dissatisfaction with their circumstances. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, lamenting their lack of food: "The entire congregation of the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, 'If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, where we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve this whole assembly to death.'" 2. The Incident of the Quail: In Numbers 11:1-6 , the people complained about their diet, longing for the variety of food they had in Egypt. Their complaints angered the LORD, and He provided quail but also sent a severe plague as a consequence of their ingratitude and lack of faith. 3. Korah's Rebellion: Numbers 16 details the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who complained against Moses and Aaron's leadership. Their challenge was not just against human authority but against God's chosen order, resulting in divine judgment. New Testament Perspective: 1. Warnings Against Complaining: The New Testament continues to address the issue of complaining, urging believers to maintain a spirit of gratitude and contentment. In Philippians 2:14-15 , Paul exhorts the church: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world." 2. The Example of Jesus: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of enduring hardship without complaint. Despite facing immense suffering and injustice, He remained obedient and submitted to the Father's will, as seen in passages like 1 Peter 2:23 : "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly." Theological Implications: Complaining in the biblical context is often associated with a lack of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It reflects a heart that is not fully aligned with God's purposes and is often contrasted with the virtues of patience, gratitude, and contentment. The biblical narrative encourages believers to trust in God's provision and timing, even in difficult circumstances, and to express their concerns through prayer and supplication rather than grumbling. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Complain.Strong's Hebrew 3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove... to decide, adjudge, prove NASB Word Usage adjudicates (1), appointed (2), argue (3), argument prove (1), chastened (1), cleared (1), complained (1), correct (2 ... /hebrew/3198.htm - 6k Library Hardness of Heart Complained Of. Hardness of Heart Complained Of. Psalm 12 the Saint's Safety and Hope in Evil Times; Or, Sins of ... Psalm 12:1. LM The Saint's Safety and Hope in Evil Times; Or, Sins ... Epistle xxxiv. To John Bishop of Scyllacium . Happy Mary. The Burning of Hus. Thanksgiving Versus Complaining Disgraceful Conduct Discovered at Rome. How Aristobulus and Hyrcanus came to Pompey in Order to Argue who ... Thesaurus Complained (5 Occurrences)...Complained (5 Occurrences). ... Genesis 21:25 Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. ... /c/complained.htm - 8k Complain (19 Occurrences) Uttermost (48 Occurrences) Fig-tree (33 Occurrences) Fig (45 Occurrences) Figtree Taberah (2 Occurrences) Rachel (42 Occurrences) Displeased (39 Occurrences) Moaned (2 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about complaining? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does God want from me? | GotQuestions.org How did Cain die? What happened to Cain? | GotQuestions.org Complained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Complained (5 Occurrences)Luke 5:30 Acts 6:1 Genesis 21:25 Numbers 11:1 Psalms 77:3 Subtopics Related Terms |
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