Grumbling vs. Glory
Grumbling is a severe problem, especially among God’s children. God desires to change our hearts from grumbling to glorifying Him.
The Israelites had a similar mindset. They had been enslaved for 400 years, believing they were incapable of independence. After two months of freedom, they faced a challenge—they had no food. Instead of trusting God, they longed to return to Egypt, romanticizing their past suffering as a time of abundance.
God was leading them through the wilderness to train them. But they responded as we often do—longing for “better” times in the past instead of trusting Him in the present. God was working to shape them into a people who would trust Him even in fear, desperation, and confusion.
In this passage, the word “grumbling” appears seven times—a significant number in the Bible. What is grumbling? It’s more than complaining; it’s a murmuring dissatisfaction, an undercurrent of distrust.
Exodus 13:17 explains that God led the Israelites on a detour through the wilderness so they wouldn’t turn back at the first sign of war. The direct route from Egypt to Canaan was about 240 kilometers—a two-week journey when walking. Yet, they wandered for 40 years. God deliberately led them in circles to test and train them, knowing they would be tempted to return to slavery if things got tough.
Looking Back vs. Moving Forward
Sometimes, looking back is harmful. Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt because she couldn’t let go of the past. Yet, at other times, looking back is necessary—God instructed the Israelites to build stone monuments to remember His faithfulness.
The wilderness (experience – we all sooner or later experience the wilderness in our lives) forces us to confront ourselves. Stripped of distractions—no Wi-Fi, no McDonald’s—we face our fears and learn to depend on God. Even Jesus, after His baptism, was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for 40 days of testing. The Apostle Paul, after his conversion, spent three years in the desert. Desert seasons are for shaping us into God’s image.
In the Israelites’ hunger, God provided manna and quail—not just to feed them, but so they would know that He is the Lord (Exodus 16:6, 12). The word “know” here means to experience and deeply understand God’s care.
Turning from Grumbling to Glory
Initially, the Israelites have already turned around and were facing Egypt, ready to return. But when Moses and Aaron preached God’s Words, they turned toward the wilderness—toward God’s calling. This was more than a physical turn; it was repentance, a change of heart.
In Matthew 13:15, Jesus speaks of people whose hearts have grown dull, whose ears barely hear, and whose eyes are closed. James 5:19-20 encourages believers to turn others back from wandering. The Israelites physically and spiritually turned around—and then they saw the glory of God.
What does the “glory of God” mean? It means experiencing His presence—His abundance, honor, majesty, and divine nearness. When we hear God’s Word and let it change us, we recognize His presence.
This pattern repeats throughout Scripture. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus’ divine glory. God’s presence transforms our grumbling into worship.
What Do You See?
God asked the Israelites, “What do you see?” They saw only desert. But God told them to look deeper and beyond the desert.
When we face trials, we must look beyond the difficulties to see God’s presence and promises. Revelation 21 describes the ultimate fulfillment of this vision: a new heaven and earth, where God dwells with His people in his glory, wipes away every tear, and where His glory is our light.
If we look at life through faith, even in hardship, we see God’s glory. That light is Jesus Christ. Revelation 21:23 says, “The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”
Seeing God’s glory fills us and allows us to reflect it back to others. Despite the challenges in our world—whether political turmoil or personal loss—God promises to be in our midst. He calls us to seek His presence, turning our grumbling into glory.
A Challenge to Us
Many say the Dutch are known for complaining. But as Christians, we are called to be people of glory, not grumbling. When we focus on God’s presence, we bring peace, abundance, and love into our lives and the lives of others.
Let us stop grumbling and start glorifying God.
