Too many times, we speak before we think. Do we really want the things we say to come to pass? Death and life are in the power of our tongue. (Proverbs 18:21) The children of Israel found this out the hard way. Look at what God says to Moses after his pleading on their behalf.
Numbers 14:19-23 Pardon, I (Moses) beseech you, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of your mercy, and as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. 20 And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to your word: 21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. 22 Because all those men who have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put me to the test now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I swore to give unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: (NKJ)
These 10 Times
1. The Plagues in Egypt (Exodus 9 – 12)
2. Cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13: 21-22)
3. Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14: 21-24)
4. Substance – Manna and quail (Exodus 16:1–36)
5. Water (Turned sweet Exodus: 15:22-26 and out of a rock twice (Exodus: 17:1-7: Numbers 20:8)
6. Shoes didn’t wear out (Deuteronomy: 8:4: 29:5)
7. Battles won: The Amalekites, Canaanite, Amorite, Midianites, Moabites, and Kenites. Over 15 victories
8. Earth swallowed their enemies (Numbers: 26:10)
9. Serpents (Numbers: 21:4-6)
10. The 12 Spies (Numbers: 13-14)
The Number-One Offense: Complaining
Numbers 14:27-29 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. 28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, says the LORD, as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you: (NKJ)
A lot of the trouble we get into is because of our own mouth. Many times, we get what we say. Complaining is habitual.
Numbers 14:1-3 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And why has the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? (NKJ)
Don’t blame God for problems you create with your own words.
Exodus 16:2-3 And there in the desert they all grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt!” they said. “There we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread, but you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death!” (NKJ)
Deuteronomy: 1:27 And you murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. (NKJ)
Jude: 16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. (NLT)
John: 6:43 But Jesus replied, “Stop complaining about what I said. (NLT)
Matthew: 16:5-11 And when his disciples came to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 Then Jesus said unto them, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” 7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. 8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O you of little faith, why reason you among yourselves, because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I spoke not to you concerning bread, that you should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? (NKJ)
