Do You Have a Complaint Against God?

Korah, Dathan and Abiram challenged Moses’ leadership. They were instructed to take firepans and put incense in them and bring them before the Lord. They, along with 250 of their supporters, did so. Moses then declared that if they died a natural death, the Lord had not chosen him. Yet, if the earth opened up and swallowed them, then Moses was God’s chosen.

God caused the earth to open up and swallow Korah, Dathan and Abiram and their families with all their possessions. Then fire from heaven destroyed their 250 supporters. Aaron’s son was then instructed to collect the censers (firepans for incense) and hammer them into sheets “for a plating of the altar, since they did present them before the Lord and they are holy.” The plating on the altar was declared a sign.

Think about the symbolism. Whenever the plating on the altar was seen, it carried a message. I want to share some things we can learn from this event, all of which would have been represented in the censers that were hammered into sheets for a covering for the altar.

First, things that are presented to God belong to God, even if ungodly men present them.

Second, the censers that were made into plating were held by men who risked their lives for what they believed. However, the thing they believed was wrong. So they forfeited their lives for a false belief, for nothing.

Third, it is unwise to challenge those whom the Lord has chosen. Though Moses was a reluctant leader, he was God’s choice, and he knew God had chosen him. So, when God chooses someone, man should accept it and not challenge God, even if he does not agree or understand.

Fourth, the 250 men did not merely lose their lives; their loss was far greater.

As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered sheets….

—Numbers 16:38

The word lives in the verse above is literally souls. It is not that their sin resulted only in their bodies dying on that day; they lost their souls, the very essence of their being.

The soul is that aspect of the human being that has intent, will and desire. It is the part of one’s being that makes choices and that comes to know and understand things based on personal experience. It is that unique aspect of your being that makes YOU who you are.

By choosing to follow Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the 250 souls placed their entire beings into the hands of the three men they followed. They trusted in their leadership and in their perception of justice. Their point of failure is contrasted by the actions of Moses.

Do this: take censers for yourselves, Korah and all your company and put fire in them and lay incense upon them in the presence of the Lord tomorrow; and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the one who is holy. 

—Numbers 16:6-7

Moses relied on God to answer the question. Instead of challenging leadership, Korah and those who made their stand with him should have consulted God. They were not merely jealous of Moses; they didn’t like God’s choice.

Leadership in God’s church is by God’s design. It does not mirror leadership in the secular world. Moses was not a perfect leader, but he was God’s choice. So are elders in the church today.

What do you think is the best way to handle your complaint against God and His design?

Mark Stinnett

May 2, 2021

What Is the Opposite of Grumbling?

Have you ever had to make decisions that directly affected other people? (Of course!) Has anyone ever complained about your decisions? Anyone who has been a parent can answer, “Yes.” Bosses and teachers and those who work in service-oriented organizations—they can all answer, “Yes.” Surely you’ve heard a variation of the saying, “You can’t please everyone.”

One biblical character stands out in this respect, a leader who was careful to follow God. Yet, he sometimes received strong complaints and grumbling from the people he led.

God told Moses to go to the Pharaoh of Egypt and request Israel’s release. Pharaoh accused the Israelites of being lazy, and he increased their workload. When the word reached the Israelites, they complained to Moses for the difficulty they had to endure. (Exodus 5.)

When Israel had come out of Egypt, they were encamped at the Red Sea. They complained to Moses out of fear for their lives when they saw Pharaoh’s army in pursuit. (Exodus 14.)

After crossing the Red Sea and setting out on their journey to Mount Sinai, Israel grumbled at Moses when they came to water that was unfit to drink. (Exodus 15.)

Days later Israel complained to Moses that they were about to starve to death on their journey. They remembered meat and filling meals in Egypt. (Exodus 16.)

Once again Israel grumbled against Moses because of a lack of water. They accused Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to die. (Exodus 17.)

After Israel had sent spies into the Promised Land and heard their report, they followed the faithless men who were afraid. That night Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron wishing they had all died in Egypt! (Numbers 14)

Later Korah complained against Moses. Leading a rebellion, he challenged Moses’ authority as leader of Israel. (Numbers 16.)

How did God view all the complaining and grumbling of Israel? He called it quarreling and said that Israel was testing Him. (Exodus 17:7)

Complaining and grumbling are serious offenses against God. Go back and read the chapters noted. You will find self-centered people who lacked genuine faith in God. This is also brought out in the Book of Jude where his readers are warned about some who had crept into the church. Jude described them as “grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts….” (Jude 16.)

The grumbling considered here is not about legitimate legal complaints or real injustices. As all the examples show, this is about fault-finding and selfish attitudes. Grumblers are always looking inward because things are not working out the way they would like. They lack faith in God’s provision. They lack faith in God’s design for authority. They lack faith in God’s instruction. In reality, they trust in themselves.

Making application is challenging:

• Jesus said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
• Children are to honor and obey their parents. (Eph. 6)
• Christians are to submit to governing authority. (Romans 13)
• The church is to submit to local leadership, the elders. (Hebrews 13:7)

Of all people, Moses could have grumbled. Grumblers are arrogant, but he was humble. The Apostle Paul could have complained about his sufferings, but he chose contentment.

How did you do in 2020? 

Do you need a fresh start in 2021? 

Don't test God. 

Stand opposite grumbling by embracing faith, humility and contentment.


Mark Stinnett

December 27, 2020