In Exodus chapter sixteen, verse two, the Israelites complained against Moses and God for the third time. The first complaint takes place in chapter fourteen, verses ten through twelve. The second is chapter fifteen, verse twenty-four. The people of God were in the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Sinai, thirty days after they departed from Egypt. Regardless of all God had done for them, they quickly lost faith in His goodness, wisdom, and will.
Israel’s example is a warning for believers not to follow. When the least of setbacks arise, the same people that recently came out of Egypt begin to let their voices heard. The Israelites verbally were dissatisfied when there was no water to drink. “What shall we drink?” the people of God cried, addressing the problem to their leaders of not having water for three days. The other situation is where the Egyptians were in hot pursuit of the Israelites.
The murmuring comments come forth directly to Moses from the Israelites. “Because there were no graves in Egypt, thou has taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we tell thee in Egypt, saying, let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to provide the Egyptians than that would die in the wilderness.
When serious problems arise, instead of accusing God of neglect and unfaithfulness, we should commit our way to Him and humbly ask for help in resolving the matter, trusting Him to act on our behalf. For a person, murmuring toward anyone will not gain favor with the man or God. Instead, it will bring disfavor. The community of people will be more aware and conscious of such a person.