Complaints

The expression of a grievance or displeasure, usually against the actions and attitudes of others including God himself.

Complaints against God

Israel in the wilderness

Numbers 11:1, Numbers 14:26–27 See also Exodus 16:8, Exodus 16:12; Numbers 21:5; 1 Corinthians 10:10–11

Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp.

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me.

Moses

Exodus 5:22–23 See also Numbers 11:11–15

So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.”

Elijah

1 Kings 19:4

Job

Job 10:1–2 See also Job 7:11–21, Job 9:27–28, Job 21:4, Job 23:2, Job 33:13

“I loathe my own life; I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God: Do not condemn me! Let me know why You prosecute me.

The psalmists

Psalm 64:1 See also Psalm 73:13–21, Psalm 77:7–9, Psalm 88:3–18, Psalm 142:2

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Hear, O God, my voice of complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy.

The prophets

Jeremiah 20:7–8 See also Jeremiah 12:1–4; Jonah 4:1–3; Habakkuk 1:2–4, Habakkuk 1:12–17

You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me. For whenever I speak, I cry out; I proclaim violence and destruction. For the word of the LORD has become to me a reproach and derision all day long.

Complaints against Jesus Christ

Matthew 9:11 parallels Mark 2:16, Luke 5:30 See also Matthew 12:2 parallels Mark 2:24, Luke 6:2; Matthew 15:2 parallel Mark 7:5; Mark 2:7 parallel Matthew 9:3; Luke 15:2; John 6:41–43

When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Examples of justified complaints

Acts 6:1 See also Genesis 21:25; 2 Samuel 15:2–4

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Examples of unjustified complaints

Exodus 17:3 See also Exodus 14:11–12, Exodus 15:24, Exodus 16:2–3; Acts 18:14–15

But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt — to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

Scripture denounces unjustified complaints

Philippians 2:14 See also Isaiah 40:27; Lamentations 3:39; James 5:9; 1 Peter 4:9

Do everything without complaining or arguing,