Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical narrative, the act of complaining is often depicted as a response to dissatisfaction or discomfort, frequently directed towards God or His appointed leaders. Complaining is portrayed as a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and plan. The Bible provides numerous examples of complaints, particularly among the Israelites during their wilderness journey, which serve as cautionary tales about the spiritual dangers of grumbling.
Old Testament Instances:1.
The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is marked by repeated instances of complaining. Despite witnessing God's miraculous deliverance from slavery, they frequently expressed dissatisfaction with their circumstances. In
Exodus 16:2-3 , the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, lamenting their lack of food: "The entire congregation of the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, 'If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, where we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve this whole assembly to death.'"
2.
The Incident of the Quail: In
Numbers 11:1-6 , the people complained about their diet, longing for the variety of food they had in Egypt. Their complaints angered the LORD, and He provided quail but also sent a severe plague as a consequence of their ingratitude and lack of faith.
3.
Korah's Rebellion:Numbers 16 details the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who complained against Moses and Aaron's leadership. Their challenge was not just against human authority but against God's chosen order, resulting in divine judgment.
New Testament Perspective:1.
Warnings Against Complaining: The New Testament continues to address the issue of complaining, urging believers to maintain a spirit of gratitude and contentment. In
Philippians 2:14-15 , Paul exhorts the church: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world."
2.
The Example of Jesus: Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of enduring hardship without complaint. Despite facing immense suffering and injustice, He remained obedient and submitted to the Father's will, as seen in passages like
1 Peter 2:23 : "When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly."
Theological Implications:Complaining in the biblical context is often associated with a lack of faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. It reflects a heart that is not fully aligned with God's purposes and is often contrasted with the virtues of patience, gratitude, and contentment. The biblical narrative encourages believers to trust in God's provision and timing, even in difficult circumstances, and to express their concerns through prayer and supplication rather than grumbling.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Complain.
Strong's Hebrew
3198. yakach -- to decide, adjudge, prove... to decide, adjudge, prove NASB Word Usage adjudicates (1), appointed (2), argue
(3), argument prove (1), chastened (1), cleared (1),
complained (1), correct (2
...Library
Hardness of HeartComplained Of.
... third lines of the stanza. Hymn 2:98. Hardness of heartcomplained of. 1
My heart, how dreadful hard it is! How heavy here it lies...
Hardness of HeartComplained Of.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 98 Hardness of heartcomplained of. CM Hardness of heartcomplained
of. My heart, how dreadful hard it is! How heavy here it lies!...
Psalm 12 the Saint's Safety and Hope in Evil Times; Or, Sins of...
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 12 The saint's safety and hope in evil times; or, Sins
of the tonguecomplained of, namely, blasphemy, falshood, etc. LM...
Psalm 12:1. LM The Saint's Safety and Hope in Evil Times; Or, Sins...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 12:1. LM The saint's safety and hope in evil
times; or, Sins of the tonguecomplained of, viz, blasphemy, falsehood, &c....
Epistle xxxiv. To John Bishop of Scyllacium .
... Now the monks of the Castilliensian monastery in your Fraternity's city havecomplained
to us that you are taking steps to impose upon the said monastery...
Happy Mary.
... 7. She oftencomplained of the corruption of her nature, of the hardness of her
heart, that she could repent no more, and be no more humble and grieved for her...
The Burning of Hus.
... He began by attacking the vices of the idle rich. A noble ladycomplained
to the King.... The Archbishop nowcomplained to the King....
Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... We are told that "when the peoplecomplained, it displeased the Lord"; but we are
tempted to think that our special complaining, because it is spiritual...
Disgraceful Conduct Discovered at Rome.
... spend. Hecomplained that his efforts were hindered by the remissness
of the bishops, whose assistance he required for success....
How Aristobulus and Hyrcanus came to Pompey in Order to Argue who...
... of government they received from their forefathers was that of subjection to the
priests of that God whom they worshipped; and [theycomplained], that though...
Thesaurus
Complained (5 Occurrences)...Complained (5 Occurrences).
... Genesis 21:25 Abraham
complained to Abimelech because
of a water well, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
...Complain (19 Occurrences)
Uttermost (48 Occurrences)
... Numbers 11:1 And when the peoplecomplained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD
heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them...
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... The Israelitescomplained that the wilderness was "no place of seed, or of figs,
or of vines, or of pomegranates" (Numbers 20:5). When Egypt was plagued, the...
Fig (45 Occurrences)
... The Israelitescomplained that the wilderness was "no place of seed, or of figs,
or of vines, or of pomegranates" (Numbers 20:5). When Egypt was plagued, the...
Figtree
... The Israelitescomplained that the wilderness was "no place of seed, or of figs,
or of vines, or of pomegranates" (Numbers 20:5). When Egypt was plagued, the...
Taberah (2 Occurrences)
... Here, it is recorded, the peoplecomplained against Yahweh, who destroyed many of
them by fire. This is the origin of the name (Numbers 11:3 Deuteronomy 9:22)....
Rachel (42 Occurrences)
... had children. Rachel, envious of her sister,complained to Jacob, who reminded
her that children are the gift of God. Then Rachel...
Displeased (39 Occurrences)
... Numbers 11:1 And when the peoplecomplained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD
heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them...
Moaned (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Moaned (2 Occurrences). Psalms 77:3 I remembered God,
and I moaned; Icomplained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. (DBY)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about complaining? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does God want from me? | GotQuestions.orgHow did Cain die? What happened to Cain? | GotQuestions.orgComplained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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