When Ingratitude Takes Hold
Lessons From The Exodus • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Numbers 11:1-15
1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
2 Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped.
3 After that, the area was known as Taberah (which means “the place of burning”), because fire from the Lord had burned among them there.
4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.
5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.
6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”
7 The manna looked like small coriander seeds, and it was pale yellow like gum resin.
8 The people would go out and gather it from the ground. They made flour by grinding it with hand mills or pounding it in mortars. Then they boiled it in a pot and made it into flat cakes. These cakes tasted like pastries baked with olive oil.
9 The manna came down on the camp with the dew during the night.
10 Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated.
11 And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?
12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors?
13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!
15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
INTRODUCTION:
I- INGRATITUDE IS ROOTED IN AN ERRANT FOCUS. (Numbers 11:1-3)
I- INGRATITUDE IS ROOTED IN AN ERRANT FOCUS. (Numbers 11:1-3)
1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
2 Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped.
3 After that, the area was known as Taberah (which means “the place of burning”), because fire from the Lord had burned among them there.
A- Ingratitude is centered on self.
A- Ingratitude is centered on self.
1- The Israelites were focused on their “hardships.” (Numbers 11:1)
1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
a. They were focused on their present inconveniences instead of the circumstances God had delivered them from.
b. They failed to remember the mighty power of God that had worked on their behalf in Egypt.
c. They failed to remember the ways God had supplied their needs to this point.
d. God had to give them an attitude adjustment measures to get their attention. (Numbers 11:2-3).
2 Then the people screamed to Moses for help, and when he prayed to the Lord, the fire stopped.
3 After that, the area was known as Taberah (which means “the place of burning”), because fire from the Lord had burned among them there.
2- We tend to become focused on our “hardships.”
a. We become focused on our present inconveniences.
b. We forget the things from which God has delivered us.
(Col 1:13–14)
13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,
14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
c. We forget the amazing gift of salvation that God has given to us.
d. We forget the ways God provides for our daily needs.
(Philippians 4:19)
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
e. We forget the ways God blesses us over and above our daily needs.
f. Sometimes God needs to give us an attitude adjustment to get our attention.
(Ps 51:10)
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
II- INGRATITUDE IS REFLECTED IN OUR DESIRES. (Numbers 11:4-9)
II- INGRATITUDE IS REFLECTED IN OUR DESIRES. (Numbers 11:4-9)
4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.
5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.
6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”
7 The manna looked like small coriander seeds, and it was pale yellow like gum resin.
8 The people would go out and gather it from the ground. They made flour by grinding it with hand mills or pounding it in mortars. Then they boiled it in a pot and made it into flat cakes. These cakes tasted like pastries baked with olive oil.
9 The manna came down on the camp with the dew during the night.
A- Ingratitude inflates our desires for the things of the world.
A- Ingratitude inflates our desires for the things of the world.
1- The Israelites became focused on the foods they had in Egypt. (Numbers 11:4-5)
4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.
5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.
a. They were incited to desire these things by the non-Israelites that had left Egypt with them. (Exodus 12:38)
38 A rabble of non-Israelites went with them, along with great flocks and herds of livestock.
(Numbers 11:4)
4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.
The memories of the non-Israelites became the fancied memories of the Israelites. (Numbers 11:4-5)
4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed.
5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted.
The Israelites had forgotten the realities of their enslavement. (Exodus 1:13-14)
13 So the Egyptians worked the people of Israel without mercy.
14 They made their lives bitter, forcing them to mix mortar and make bricks and do all the work in the fields. They were ruthless in all their demands.
b. They began to complain that they did not have meat, fish, and vegetables.
They began to want what they did not have.
They were desiring what they thought Egypt had to offer.
B- Ingratitude deflates our desire for the good things of God.
B- Ingratitude deflates our desire for the good things of God.
1- The Israelites began to lose their desire for the things God was providing. (Numbers 11:6-9)
6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”
7 The manna looked like small coriander seeds, and it was pale yellow like gum resin.
8 The people would go out and gather it from the ground. They made flour by grinding it with hand mills or pounding it in mortars. Then they boiled it in a pot and made it into flat cakes. These cakes tasted like pastries baked with olive oil.
9 The manna came down on the camp with the dew during the night.
a. They expressed distain for the Manna of God. (Numbers 11:6)
6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!”
It was a provision that was miraculously provided.
(Exodus 16:12-19)
12 “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”
13 That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew.
14 When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground.
15 The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was. And Moses told them, “It is the food the Lord has given you to eat.
16 These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.”
17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little.
18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed.
19 Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.”
It was a provision that was easily prepared.
It was a provision that was abundantly plentiful.
2- One of Satan’s greatest temptations is to make the things of the world look more attractive than that which God provides.
a. He began this in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-7)
1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.
3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ”
4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.
5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
b. He continues to use this tactic on believers today.
We need to remember that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
He will do his best to get the believer to forsake following Christ and pursue the ways of the world.
Note Paul’s warning in Romans 12:2.
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
III- INGRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS TO OTHERS. (Numbers 11:10-15)
III- INGRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS TO OTHERS. (Numbers 11:10-15)
10 Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated.
11 And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?
12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors?
13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!
15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
A- The spirit of ingratitude is infectious.
A- The spirit of ingratitude is infectious.
1- The complaining that began with the non-israelites infected the Israelites.
2- The ingratitude took over the Israelites and spread to Moses. (Numbers 11:10)
10 Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated.
B- Ingratitude manifests itself in bitterness toward God. (Numbers 11:11-15)
B- Ingratitude manifests itself in bitterness toward God. (Numbers 11:11-15)
11 And Moses said to the Lord, “Why are you treating me, your servant, so harshly? Have mercy on me! What did I do to deserve the burden of all these people?
12 Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into the world? Why did you tell me to carry them in my arms like a mother carries a nursing baby? How can I carry them to the land you swore to give their ancestors?
13 Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’
14 I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!
15 If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
1- Moses began to complain to God and pour out a bitter attitude.
Moses was bitter about his assignment from God.
Moses was bitter about the people he had to deal with.
Moses was bitter about the whining of the Israelites.
Moses asked to die.
2- We must avoid letting it take hold of us. (Heb 12:15)
15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
a. If we allow a bitter spirit of ingratitude to get a beach head in our lives it can and will affect others.
IV- INGRATITUDE IS DESTRUCTIVELY SINFUL. (Numbers 11:31-35)
IV- INGRATITUDE IS DESTRUCTIVELY SINFUL. (Numbers 11:31-35)
31 Now the Lord sent a wind that brought quail from the sea and let them fall all around the camp. For miles in every direction there were quail flying about three feet above the ground.
32 So the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They spread the quail all around the camp to dry.
33 But while they were gorging themselves on the meat—while it was still in their mouths—the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.
34 So that place was called Kibroth-hattaavah (which means “graves of gluttony”) because there they buried the people who had craved meat from Egypt.
35 From Kibroth-hattaavah the Israelites traveled to Hazeroth, where they stayed for some time.
A- Ingratitude produces in us a covetous and indulgent lust that is destructive.
A- Ingratitude produces in us a covetous and indulgent lust that is destructive.
1- When the Israelites got what they wanted, they allowed their desire to consume them.
a. They were not content to get enough to satisfy their need. (Numbers 11:31-32)
31 Now the Lord sent a wind that brought quail from the sea and let them fall all around the camp. For miles in every direction there were quail flying about three feet above the ground.
32 So the people went out and caught quail all that day and throughout the night and all the next day, too. No one gathered less than fifty bushels! They spread the quail all around the camp to dry.
b. They pursued the object of their desire to extreme!
They pursued their appitites for two whole days without sleep.
No one gatheered less than 50 bushels of quail.
They then prepared the birds by drying them.
c. They then turned to consuming the food to extreme.
They “gorged themselves” on the meat. (Numbers 11:33)
33 But while they were gorging themselves on the meat—while it was still in their mouths—the anger of the Lord blazed against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague.
2- When we allow ingratitude to give us license to fulfill worldly desires to the fill, the results will be destructive.
a. Fleshly desires lead to destruction and death.
(James 1:14–15)
14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.
15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
(Rom 7:5)
5 When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.
CONCLUSION:
We are warned in scripture about having a spirit of ingratitude. Today, we have looked at the example of Israel in the wilderness. We have seen the following facts:
INGRATITUDE IS ROOTED IN AN ERRANT FOCUS.
INGRATITUDE IS REFLECTED IN OUR DESIRES.
INGRATITUDE IS CONTAGIOUS TO OTHERS.
INGRATITUDE IS DESTRUCTIVELY SINFUL.
How are we to respond to the temptation to become ingrateful?
Repent of any attitude of ingratitude within us.
Remember and reflect on the amazing blessings of God in our lives.
Respond to the overflowing love of God toward us.
(2 Cor 5:14–15)
14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
