Ingratitude is a recurring theme in the relationship between the Israelites and Moses, as documented in the Old Testament. Despite Moses' role as a divinely appointed leader and mediator between God and His people, the Israelites frequently exhibited a lack of appreciation for his leadership and the miraculous works performed on their behalf.

Exodus from Egypt

The Israelites' journey from slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land is marked by numerous instances of ingratitude. After witnessing the ten plagues and the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites quickly turned to grumbling and complaining. In Exodus 15:24 , shortly after their deliverance, "the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?'" This complaint arose despite the recent demonstration of God's power and provision.

Provision of Manna and Quail

In the wilderness, God provided manna and quail to sustain the Israelites. However, their response was one of dissatisfaction and ingratitude. In Exodus 16:2-3 , "the whole congregation of Israel 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.'" This complaint highlights their lack of faith and appreciation for God's ongoing provision.

Water from the Rock

Another significant episode of ingratitude occurred at Rephidim, where the Israelites quarreled with Moses over the lack of water. In Exodus 17:2-3 , "the people contended with Moses, 'Give us water to drink.' 'Why do you contend with me?' Moses replied. 'Why do you test the LORD?' But the people thirsted there for water, and they grumbled against Moses." Despite God's previous provisions, the Israelites' immediate response was one of complaint rather than trust.

The Golden Calf

While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites grew impatient and constructed a golden calf to worship. This act of idolatry was a profound expression of ingratitude towards both God and Moses. In Exodus 32:1 , the people said to Aaron, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him." Their actions demonstrated a disregard for the covenant relationship established through Moses.

Rebellion at Kadesh

In Numbers 14, the Israelites' ingratitude reached a climax when they refused to enter the Promised Land due to fear of its inhabitants. Despite the positive report from Joshua and Caleb, the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron, expressing a desire to return to Egypt. Numbers 14:2-4 records their words: "If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" This rebellion resulted in severe consequences, including a 40-year period of wandering in the wilderness.

Korah's Rebellion

In Numbers 16, Korah, along with Dathan, Abiram, and others, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, questioning their leadership and authority. This act of defiance was rooted in ingratitude and a lack of recognition for the divinely appointed roles of Moses and Aaron. Numbers 16:3 states, "They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, 'You have gone too far! All the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'"

Throughout these episodes, the Israelites' ingratitude towards Moses is evident in their repeated complaints, lack of faith, and rebellion. Despite Moses' intercession and leadership, the people often failed to appreciate the divine guidance and provision they received through him.Exodus 16:3
And the children of Israel said to them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for you have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 17:2-4
Why the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide you with me? why do you tempt the LORD?
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 16:12-14
And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:
Nave's Topical Index

How the Canaanites Brought the Israelites under Slavery for Twenty ...
... From The Death Of Moses To The Death Of Eli ... He so sorely beat the Israelites when
they fought with ... more to subdue their obstinacy and ingratitude towards himself ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how the canaanites.htm

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... song of praise led by Miriam, the sister of Moses. One of the leading sins of these
Israelites was forgetfulness of God and His mercies, and ingratitude of soul ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

Eldad and Medad
... The Israelites had been once more displaying suspicion and ingratitude. ... and flesh
they had enjoyed in Egypt, and murmured against God and against Moses. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/eldad and medad.htm

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... entering the Promised Land, the Israelites were admonished by Moses to "keep ... a froward
generation, filled with ingratitude, formalism, insincerity ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... any serious purpose to depose Moses been entertained. ... the story, and see brethren
in these Israelites. ... Their ingratitude and forgetfulness are inexplicable, as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

The Golden Calf
... Note, too, the black ingratitude and plain denial of ... The 'god' whom the Israelites
worshipped under the image of ... ascribed their Exodus first to Moses, and next ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... murmuring, caprice, waywardness, fickleness, ingratitude, jealousy, suspiciousness ...
it that made the Israelites disobedient, who ... the Living God." Moses had been ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... the story afterward called this murmuring against Moses and Aaron ... We may think, as
the Israelites did, that our ... it may be, wondered at the ingratitude of those ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
... In addition to this are our sloth and ingratitude. ... expressed in very distinct terms
in Moses, it, however ... a king was appointed over the Israelites, Hannah, the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 redemption for man.htm

Thankfulness for Mercies Received, a Necessary Duty
... the favors he had received, as so many aggravations of his ingratitude. ... Thus Moses,
thus Joshua behaved ... of fire, which departed not from the Israelites, and who ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/thankfulness for mercies received a.htm

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