Topical Bible: Moses: Character of Complainings of

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Moses, a central figure in the Old Testament, is renowned for his leadership and faithfulness to God. However, his journey was not without moments of complaint and frustration, often reflecting the immense pressures he faced as the leader of the Israelites.

Complaints Against God’s Call and Mission

Moses initially expressed reluctance and doubt when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In Exodus 3:11 , Moses questions his own adequacy: "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" His hesitance continues in Exodus 4:10 , where he protests, "O Lord, I am not eloquent...I am slow of speech and tongue." These complaints highlight Moses' struggle with self-doubt and his need for reassurance from God.

Complaints About the Burden of Leadership

As the leader of a large and often rebellious group, Moses frequently felt overwhelmed by the burden of leadership. In Numbers 11:11-15 , Moses voices his distress to the Lord: "Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your eyes, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me?" Here, Moses' complaint underscores the immense pressure he felt in managing the needs and grievances of the Israelites.

Complaints in Response to the People’s Rebellion

Moses also expressed frustration in response to the Israelites' frequent complaints and lack of faith. In Exodus 17:4 , when the people grumbled for water, Moses cried out to the Lord, "What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me!" This complaint reveals Moses' exasperation with the people's persistent unbelief and ingratitude despite witnessing God's miracles.

Complaints Reflecting Personal Anguish

Moses' complaints sometimes reflected his personal anguish and sense of isolation. In Numbers 20:10-12 , after striking the rock to bring forth water, God rebukes Moses for his lack of trust, saying, "Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." This incident illustrates how Moses' frustration led to actions that ultimately had significant consequences for him personally.

Complaints as a Catalyst for Divine Intervention

Despite his complaints, Moses often used these moments to intercede for the people, seeking God's mercy and guidance. In Exodus 32:11-14 , after the Israelites worship the golden calf, Moses pleads with God to spare them, demonstrating his deep commitment to his people despite his frustrations. His complaints, therefore, often served as a catalyst for divine intervention and mercy.

Moses' character, as seen through his complaints, reveals a complex leader who, despite his human frailties, remained devoted to God's mission. His candid expressions of doubt, frustration, and anguish provide a relatable portrait of a man tasked with an extraordinary mission, highlighting both his humanity and his unwavering faith in God's ultimate plan.

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Exodus 5:22,23
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, LORD, why have you so evil entreated this people? why is it that you have sent me?
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Numbers 11:10-15
Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased.
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Library

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... at God's dealings with us, and all complainings at our ... song of praise led by Miriam,
the sister of Moses. ... do with praise, for according to the character of the ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

"The Lord is Good"
... translation of your inward murmurings and complainings, but what ... Moses called this,
when the Israelites did it ... it, to insult Him, and to libel His character. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 7 the lord is.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... afterward called this murmuring against Moses and Aaron a ... and "complainers" make
in their complainings more "hard ... are things relating to the character and the ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Acts v. 34
... v.40.) They reverenced the high character of the ... Thus they had been taught by Moses's
example not to ... of mind (philosophias) to bear the complainings of widows. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xiv acts v 34.htm

Letter Lii. To Nepotian.
... Heliodorus, which, by the tears and complainings with which ... Moses, the leader of
the Israelites, counted one ... or a psalm-singer, let their character not their ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lii to nepotian.htm

The General Conference of 1840
... North Carolina Conference: Moses Brock, J. Jameson. ... difficulty is increased in
proportion to the complexity of the ease, and the conflicting character of the ...
/.../chapter 15 the general conference.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... as an unclean thing.' 3. Again; the things here attending this people are their
good things, put down under this large character, 'Righteousnesses, ALL our ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
... disciples, rather than there should be any complainings among them ... to fear that this
will be the character by which ... are brethren.' And we read of Moses, in Acts ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exhortation to peace and.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm