Thank you for the interpretative question on the Israelites and Moses, “Did the ancient Israelites trust Moses completely as their leader sent from God or did they trust God’s wisdom and leadership in sending Moses?”
As one reads Exodus and Numbers, the Israelites did not trust Moses or God’s presence or provision for them.
That generation that came out of Egypt, died in the desert for their lack of faith in God and in Moses. It is incredible that although the Israelites who saw the 10 plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, who saw the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day that they complain and believe that Moses and or God would lead them into the Wilderness to die.
Numbers 14 depicts the Israelites’ attitude toward Moses and God. The text says the following: “That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. 2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! 3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” 10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites.
11 The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?” (NIV).
Lest Christians harshly condemn them, Christians too complain and grumble about how God is treating them despite the goodness of the Lord upon them. When things go bump in the night, our response is like the Israelites. We don’t have a pillar of fire or a cloud that leads us by the day, but we do have the Holy Spirit and his Word. In many respect, we are worse than the Israelites!
SUMMARY: The Israelites didn’t trust God or Moses. They trusted in their physical senses more than they trusted the promises of God.
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