“The Cost of Complaining”
Numbers 13-14
Ever heard of anyone naming their kids these names?
Shammua, Shaphat, Igal, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, Geuel, Joshua, Caleb
No one has heard these names before; No one names their son Shammua, or Palti. Only Joshua and Caleb are recognized names on this list. Why is that? The reason is simple; no one appreciates or remembers a coward.
In Numbers chapter 13-14, God tells Moses to send spies, one from each tribe of Israel to spy out the land, and they do for 40 days. They come back with a mixed report, the land is fertile and rich, but the people are many, the cities are big and fortified and some people in the land they perceive as giants and they like to fight.
The people responded “Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” Numbers 14:1-3
Let’s remind ourselves of what these whiners and complainers had witnessed with their own eyes and experience:
1. God sent plagues to help free them from Pharaoh
2. God parted the Red Sea so they could walk on dry land
3. God took out the Egyptian army so they couldn’t pursue His people
4. God led them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of Fire at night
5. God provided water when they had none, manna and quail for food (manna daily for all 40 years)
6. God gave them victory over the Amelkites
7. God displayed his glory publicly over Mt. Sanai (frightened the people) Ex. 19:16-19
God punishes the people for their cowardice, unbelief and complaining spirit no one from that generation, even Moses was allowed to cross into the promised land; Only Joshua and Caleb. 1 Cor. 10:1-10
Joshua and Caleb speak out against the congregation of Israel. He offers a brief but challenging statement. Here is Joshua’s outline: Numbers 14:8-9
1. God keeps His promises (Numbers 14:8)
Joshua 21:45 - Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.
2 Samuel 22:31 -God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection
Romans 4:20-22 - Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.
Matthew 6:31-34 - “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
1 John 5:13-15 - I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life. 14 And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 15 And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.
2. We mus obey God (Numbers 14:9)
Leviticus 18:4 – You must obey all my regulations and be careful to obey my decrees, for I am the LORD your God.
Psalm 119:8-9 I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
Matthew 28:20 - Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.
John 14:15 – If you love me, obey[a] my commandments
James 1:19-22 – Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger[a] does not produce the righteousness[b] God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
1 Peter 1:22 – You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters.[a] Love each other deeply with all your heart.
1 Peter 4:17 – For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?
1 John 2:5 - But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.
3. Don’t be afraid because the Lord is with us (Numbers 14:9)
This statement in some form appears over 100 times in the Bible;
Psalm 23:4 - Even when I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand
Romans 8:38 – And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
1 John 4:18 - Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
When God challenges us to obey His Word we need to respond the opposite way from how the people of Israel did:
1. They said, “we want things to be the way they were.” (Numbers 14:2-3)
Ezekiel 36:26 - And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart
Romans 2:25-29 - a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise[a] from God, not from people.
Romans 6:4 - For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Romans 12:2 -Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
2 Corinthians 5:15 - He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Galatians 6:15 – It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation
Colossians 1:6 – This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
Colossians 2:12 - For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.
Luke 9:23 - Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.
Instead of complaining we must say, “We pick up YOUR cross to accomplish YOUR Will most effectively”
2. They said, “we need new leadership” (Numbers 14:4)
Matthew 28:18 – Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth
Ephesians 1:22 – God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.
1 Peter 2:13 – For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether the king as head of state
1 Peter 5:5 – In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”
Hebrews 13:7 – Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
Again, instead of complaining we must say, “We pick up YOUR cross to accomplish YOUR Will most effectively”
Luke 9:23
What kind of cross do you pick up?
Cross on a chain – I hide it when I don’t want it seen by others
Cross light – fits into my schedule; convenient
The real Cross – complete sacrifice; it’s my way of life (Luke 14:25-33)...I don’t take communion; I seek communion with God all the time
