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The Problem of a Complaining Spirit

Text: Numbers 17
26 October 2015

THE PROBLEM OF A COMPLAINING SPIRIT

1. It had plagued Israel incessantly

2. God wanted to put a stop to this problem

“I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they made against you”   (Numbers 17:5)
a) God was concerned His servant Moses
b) He was grieved and angry with the constant complaining spirit of Israel

THE RODS OF THE LEADERS OF ISRAEL

1. Each rod will bear the name of the leader of the tribe

2. Each rod will be submitted by the individual tribe

3. The leaders gave to Moses the rods   (Numbers 17:5)

4. The rod of Aaron was among the rods   (Numbers 17:6)

5. The rods were placed in the Tabernacle of witness   (Numbers 17:7)

THE SIGN

1. God will cause the chosen rod to blossom   (Numbers 17:5)

2. This would be a clear and obvious miracle

THE ROD OF AARON

1. The rods were returned the next day

2. The rod of Aaron

a) It blossomed
b) It sprouted and brought forth buds
c) It yielded ripe almonds   (Numbers 17:8)

3. The rod of Aaron would be kept in the Tabernacle

a) It would be a sign against the rebels
b) Complaints must be stopped
c) The penalty is death   (Numbers 17:10)

THE PATHETIC RESPONSE OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Surely we die, we perish, we all perish!   (Numbers 17:12)

Whoever even comes near to the tabernacle of the Lord must die. Shall we all utterly die?   (Numbers 17:13)

1. Calculated exaggeration

2. Rejection of this new word from God