Title Number 16 The Cause of Complaints
Contents
cause of complaint
Numbers 16:1-50
Exactly the same situation, but some are grateful and some complain. The difference between complaining and gratitude is by no means a difference in circumstances. It's the person's way of life. Many people say that their complaints and resentments are the responsibility of others and their circumstances. But the cause of complaints and resentment lies with me. Through today's Word, we want to find out where the cause of complaints and resentment lies.
The Israelites constantly complained and complained. They complained that the nutritious and sweet manna was not tasty. The spies who went to spy out in the land of Canaan complained that they had superior military power in the land of Canaan. In today's Word, I said that Moses and Aaron of Israel enjoyed too many privileges. They wouldn't stop complaining even if they gave me a better environment and a better position. The cause of the complaint was never in anyone else or in the environment. But they looked for the cause of their complaints in others and in their environment.
The cause of their complaints was their insatiable greed.
Moses says that their complaints came from insatiable greed. “Tomorrow put fire in the censer before the LORD, and put incense on it; then the LORD's elect will be sanctified. We often see children of chaebol corporations fighting between parents and siblings over property. It was not because they lacked wealth, but because they were greedy and complained and resented. Moses says that Korah of the tribe of Levi and Dathan, Abiram, and On of the tribe of Reuben who supported them rebelled against Moses because of their greed. Korah was a Levite and served in the temple. He held an important position compared to others. However, not satisfied with the position, Moses demanded the position of High Priest Aaron had. The Reuben tribe was originally the eldest son, but did not enjoy the privilege of being the firstborn. So they thought that the leadership of Moses, the leader, was their responsibility.
It is because of my greed that we are complaining before God and before people today. Because I am not satisfied with what God has given me and I am asking for more. God provides each of us with what is right and what we need. Therefore, we must have a heart of gratitude for what God has given us. This heart is possible when we empty our greed and accept what God has given us with thanksgiving. We need wisdom to count the blessings we have received.
The cause of the complaint was that he did not realize the importance of the work entrusted to him.
“Is it not a small thing for you that the God of Israel set you apart from the congregation of Israel to draw near to Him, to serve in the tabernacle of the Lord, to stand before the congregation and serve in their behalf?” (Numbers 16:9). The descendants of Korah were holy men, set apart from the congregation. They were given a noble office of service in the tabernacle. Although they were not priests, their work was valuable. However, they did not value their work and demanded other work.
Our work is not precious because people see it as precious or because it is a work that is glorified. It is precious because it comes from God. Through the parable of the talents, Jesus also gave a parable of rebuking those who do not consider what God has given them as precious little things. The master entrusted them with ten talents, five talents, and one talent, but those who were entrusted with one talent did not trade with them, but buried them in the ground because they had less than the others. Jesus told him to take even the one talent from him. Although what we have is small in the eyes of others, it is precious because God has given it to us.
Korah and his followers also did not know the value of the precious office they had given them, and coveted the office of others, and they were judged by God. The earth was torn apart and all were buried alive in it.
Their complaint was that they did not realize the discipline.
Whenever they complained and grumbled, God continued to punish them to rebuke them for their sins. However, he could not change the habit of complaining. The people of Korah did not understand and complained when they saw that the earth was torn apart and swallowed up. Even today, when something bad happens to us, we should humble ourselves before God and take time to look after ourselves, but there are times when we complain or resist.
Complaints are not caused by others or circumstances. Even under the same circumstances, one person is grateful and the other complains. I need to be thankful for what God has given me and live my life. “I say to each of you by the grace given to me, do not think of more than you ought to think, but think wisely according to the measure of faith that God has imparted to you” (Romans 12:3).
I need to know the importance of the position that has been given to me now. A difference in position is not a difference in position. We all have a status as children of God. “A day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere; it is better to be a gatekeeper in the temple of my God than to dwell in the tents of the wicked” (Psalm 84:10).
Repent when difficult circumstances come??? You should take it as an opportunity.
“It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71).