What was going on with the israelites in the wilderness?

Answer 1

1) They complained a number of times (such as in Exodus ch.15-17). 2) The episode of the Spies (Numbers ch.13). 3) The Golden Calf (Exodus ch.32).

Here is a discussion of these events:

When approaching the topic of the complaints which the Israelites made in the wilderness (Exodus ch.15,16,17 and 32; Numbers ch.11,13,16,20 and 21), we should bear in mind the following:

1) The Israelites were intelligent and possessed strong opinions.

2) They were people of initiative.

3) They weren't perfect.

4) The prophetic books magnify their faults because the people were being held to a superlative standard (Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi).

5) God punished them in this world, to leave them unblemished in the next world.

So here are some examples:

a) When they mentioned the lack of meat (Exodus ch.16) despite the fact that they actually did have meat (Numbers 32:1), certainly part of the reason may have been stubbornness (Exodus 32:9). But the voice of prophecy (in Psalms 78:20) reveals another reason: they wanted God to demonstrate His power and provide meat miraculously (which He soon did). They loved seeing the power of God.

b) When they mentioned the lack of water (Exodus ch.15), they had actually journeyed for three days in the arid wilderness without finding any water (ibid). This is a case in which God was holding them to superhuman standards; and they complained not a single word until the third thirsty day. They understood that it was a test and were willing to suffer.

c) The episode of the spies (Numbers ch.13) was a case of people of strong opinions. This is the meaning of the word אנשים as it is used in Numbers 13:3. The spies were men of leadership. They formed an opinion and stuck to it. Their opinion was that it was as yet too soon to attempt conquering the Holy Land, because of the losses which could occur in war. Better to wait until the nation would increase (see Exodus 23:30). The problem was that this attitude could be seen as a lack of trust in God (Deuteronomy 1:32)

d) The Golden Calf (Exodus ch.32) was a case of taking the initiative.

It was a one-time error which was quickly and decisively stamped out. And while it was a serious offense, it may be a bit less of a puzzle if we consider the following:

1) It seemed that Moses had died (Rashi commentary, Exodus 32:1); and they wanted something or someone to lead them (Exodus 32:1). They felt that this (seemingly) drastic circumstance justified quickly taking unusual measures.

2) They had a tradition that they would eventually build an edifice to God (Rashi, Exodus 26:15); and, not yet having been commanded as to the details (the Tabernacle), they thought that they might now improvise.

3) The actual intent was not to worship the Golden Calf itself, but to worship the Presence of God (Exodus 32:5) which (they hoped) would dwell upon it.

4) The entire event was instigated by Egyptians (Rashi, Exodus 32:4) who had recently joined among the mixed multitude (Exodus 12:38).

5) Those who sinned were, at most, in the thousands (Exodus 32:28). Not hundreds of thousands.

6) That generation was judged by an exacting standard, precisely because they were on a high level (Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi).

7) In each era, there are different spiritual tests. The (main) test in ancient times was whether people would succumb to the lure of idolatry and its preludes. This powerful lure has since been emasculated (Talmud, Yoma 69b), so it is hard for us now to fully comprehend.

Answer 2

In many ways, such as breaking all of His commandments and statutes. They followed after the Gentiles and their ways, and doing so, they disrespected and turned away from the Most High by committing idolatry.

Answer 3

Complaints (Exodus ch.15, 16, 17).

(However, it should be borne in mind that when they mentioned the lack of water [Exodus ch.15], they had actually journeyed for three days in the arid wilderness without finding any water [ibid]. This is a case in which God was holding them to superhuman standards; and they complained not a single word until the third thirsty day. They understood that it was a test and were willing to suffer.)

Answer 4

The "usual" way; by "breaking God's Commandments":

"for SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW." (I John 3:4)

Most folks aren't aware, and therefore don't really care they are doing it. But the main difference with the nation of Israel was that God had entered into a "covenant relationship with Israel" that was tantamount to MARRIAGE; in which the collective nation was the WIFE of her Husband, the LORD.

God's Word tells us that the nation of Israel conducted "herself" in an "adulteress" fashion:

"Surely as A WIFE treacherously departeth from her husband, SO HAVE YE DEALT TREACHEROUSLY WITH ME, O House of Israel,' saith the LORD... for they have PERVERTED THEIR WAY, and THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN the LORD their God." (Jer.3:20)

"'Behold, the days come,' saith the LORD, 'that I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel, and with the House of Judah: not according to the covenant I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which MY COVENANT THEY BRAKE, although I WAS AN HUSBAND UNTO THEM, ' saith the LORD...' (Jer.31:31-32).

God's commandment to ALL OF MANKIND has always been to KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS [beginning with Adam and Eve]. But He stepped into the affairs of "sinning" [disobedient] mankind when the time was right to liberate the Israelites from Egypt. to offer His "marriage proposal" to them, and to become their God and "Husband" -- the most INTIMATE OF RELATIONSHIPS.

It's always been about "OBEDIENCE TO HIS VOICE" [for the wife to OBEY HER HUSBAND] the part of older marriage vows that has fallen by the wayside from modern marriage vows.

"Now therefore, IF ye will OBEY MY VOICE INDEED, and keep My covenant [this marriage agreement], then ye shall be a peculiar TREASURE unto ME above all PEOPLE: for all the earth is Mine... And all the people answered together, and said, 'ALL that the LORD hath spoken WE WILL DO..." (Ex.19:5-8).

ALL THE SINS OF MANKIND [including Israel's sins] are of the same nature: sin is the breaking of God's Commandments [see again I John 3:4]. That's always been the CONDITIONS for nations to remain extant on the earth as nations.

"...these are the COMMANDMENTS, the statutes, and the Judgments, which the LORD your God COMMANDED to TEACH you, that ye might DO THEM in the land... that thou mightiest FEAR the LORD thy God, to KEEP ALL HIS statutes and His COMMANDMENTS, which I command THEE, thou, and THY SON, and thy SON'S SON, ALL THE DAYS OF THY LIFE; and that THY DAYS MAY BE PROLONGED..." (Deut.6:1-2)

The Bible makes no secret regarding what's involved for a "successful, happy, prosperous, peaceful life." And NATION.

"...ye shall be UNTO ME a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, and an HOLY NATION..." (Ex.19:6).

"Let us hear the CONCLUSION OF THE WHOLE MATTER: FEAR GOD, and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: for this is the WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. For God shall bring EVERY WORK into Judgment, with EVERY SECRET THING, whether it be GOOD or whether it be EVIL." (Eccle.12:13-14)

All sins are the same... they are all DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD'S COMMANDMENTS.

Answer 5

It was grumbling against moses and God, and falling into idol worship.

Answer 6

During the 4o years in the wilderness, the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron. They wanted good food and not only manna, they wanted quail and wanted water as well.

Answer 7

They grumbled against Moses and god about the food and water they had.