Craig

Idol worship was what they knew and it was ingrained within them. In Moses' absence they became anxious and looked for security in what they were accustomed to. I believe Aaron facilitated their sin to avoid a problem/trouble with the people. Worshiping the Golden calf probably angered, insulted, and saddened God. Christian churches allow themselves to be comfortable, inward focused, and worship the church service rather than the Sovereign of the Universe. Churches worship big numbers and productions. They worship entertaining pastors and praise and worship groups. In general the average church member is luke warm to cold.

Idol worship was what they knew and it was ingrained within them. In Moses' absence they became anxious and looked for security in what they were accustomed to. I believe Aaron facilitated their sin to avoid a problem/trouble with the people. Worshiping the Golden calf probably angered, insulted, and saddened God. Christian churches allow themselves to be comfortable, inward focused, and worship the church service rather than the Sovereign of the Universe. Churches worship big numbers and productions. They worship entertaining pastors and praise and worship groups. In general the average church member is luke warm to cold.

God provided manna to the people for food during the journey to the promised land. The manna ceased because they reached their destination. In general, people take things for granted that are constant in their life. I think I take the God's forgiveness of sin for granted.

The true leader of God is His representative and mouth piece to the people. A lot of leaders would rather not do some of the things that God desires, but they carry out His instructions anyway. Whether it is popular or not. When people grumble against the leader, it is the leader they can see and hurt. The leader is in the flesh. Leaders can bring criticism on themselves if they are not carrying out their responsibilities in a Biblical fashion and are not in God's will. Leaders can take complaints so personally because of their emotional, spiritual, and physical investment in their leadership responsibilities. It is hard not to take things personal. That is why it is so important to maintain perspective in Jesus the Christ so that we do not become defeated and demoralized. It is all about God. The scripture teaches us that and we must internalize that principle and walk humbly with the Lord.

Some reasons for grumbling and complaining among people include: dissatisfaction, ineffectiveness, self-centeredness, cynicism, skepticism, unbelief, lack of faith, fear, etc. Fear and lack of faith stop people from completely going all the way with God. Otherwise, giving God our trust and ultimately our will. If I am a Christian and do not practice my faith according to Biblical principles then I am not going to know all the blessings and benefits of being a saint. Therefore, I become frustrated leading to grumbling and complaining. I once grumbled a lot, then I gave it all over to the Lord and for the most part I don't grumble and complaint. I am more thankful than anything else. This is where I am today. So, lack of faith, vision, and trust in God lead to a dark and depressing life of grumbling and complaining.

Some church leaders believe confronting is being unloving -- not being a good Christian -- not nice. Some leaders want to be everyone's friend. Additionally, some leaders fear that confrontation might lead to someone leaving the church; someone might stop tithing; and confrontation might cause stress or division in the relationship with the person being confronted. A leader who confronts might lose his/her job. Confrontation and rebuke when styled as training or spiritual development can lead to the confrontation of issues in a caring and loving style, but to the point. When we refuse to confront an issue with a person(s), then whatever that issue is will worsen and spread. Possibly creating greater damage. Issues need to be dealt with at once.

Moses blamed God for his troubles because God got into them. Moses and Aaron are stubborn because they lack God's vision, strength, and courage. They are not on board with God. They don't understand nor trust God. God commands Moses and Aaron into action to get them moving.