Message Notes

A COMPLAINING SPIRIT

1. A complaining spirit

a) It appeared when Pharaoh made life even harder for the children of Israel   (Exodus 5:20-21)

b) It appeared again when Pharaoh’s army pursued them to the Red Sea   (Exodus 14:10-12)

c) It appeared yet again just three days when the scarcity of water was felt   (Exodus 15:22-24)

d) It appeared a fourth time when they worried about the problem of food   (Exodus 16:2-3)

2. The prevailing circumstances

a) In the face of hardship (Pharaoh refused to provide straw to make bricks)

b) In the face of possible imminent death

i) Slaughter by Pharaoh’s army

ii) Drowning in the Red Sea

c) In the face of water scarcity

d) In the face of bread/meat scarcity

3. A deeper analysis of the complaining spirit

a) Focus on self

i) The physical aspect

ii) The comforts of life

b) Forgetting the Lord

i) His power evidenced against the Egyptians

ii) His Presence (Cloud and Fire)

iii) His provision

c) Fear

i) Of Problems

ii) Of Death

d) Frailty of Faith

i) In believing God

ii) Unbelief gets the upper hand

e) Frivolous allegations against Moses and Aaron

i) They questioned Moses concerning his leadership   (Exodus 14:10-12)

ii) They accused Moses of leading them to their death   (Exodus 16:3)

THE LORD’S ANSWER

1. To test the people

a) At the waters of Marah   (Exodus 15:25)

b) In the wilderness of Sin   (Exodus 16:4)

c) To see if they would heed God   (Exodus 15:26)

d) To see if they would walk in His ways   (Exodus 16:4)

2. God’s gracious promise to give bread/meat   (Exodus 16:4, 12)

a) He had heard their complaints   (Exodus 16:9, 11)

b) He will more than meet their needs

LESSONS TO LEARN

1. You shall know   (Exodus 16:6)

2. You shall see the glory of the Lord   (Exodus 16:7)

3. The danger of complaining not against man but against the Lord   (Exodus 16:8)