Old Testament Insights into Dealing with Complaints and Criticisms

Whether you believe the Bible to be a literal history or a series of figurative parables, there is no getting around the fact that on of its central figures, Moses, experienced the worst that leadership and administration has to offer: the loss of confidence and support from the people he led.

In an age of plummeting public opinion for both the American president and the American congress, the figure of Moses stands out as a leader who delivered on what he promised but failed to win the loyalty and approval of his constituents.

Consistent, principled leadership through crisis and criticism is, for many in modern times, as anachronistic as stories of food falling from heaven and water pouring out of stone.

Here are the conditions Moses faced:

After the Hebrews were protected during the 10 plagues in Egypt (including the death of the first borns)...

After they were led out of slavery...

After they crossed the Red Sea on dry ground...

After this series of miraculous events, the Hebrews come to Moses and say: You have brought us to the wilderness to die! What have you done to us? Why did you bring us out of Egypt? (see Exodus 14:11-12).

After water sprang from a rock to quench their thirst...

After quails and manna were provided when they were hungry...

After their clothes and shoes didn't wear out despite harsh conditions and constant use...

After they have seen the demonstrations of God's power in the desert of Sinai...

After Moses receives the commandments written by the finger of God on tablets of stone...

After all of this, here is what the people do and say to Moses: We had it better as slaves in Egypt! We had fresh fish and cucumbers! We ate melons and vegetables! But now all we have is this manna (see Numbers 11:5-6, 14).

This wasn't a discontented few criticizing their leader's skills and administration. This was everyone-an entire nation dissatisfied and discontented. Any alternative was better than what they were experiencing on the journey from slavery to emancipation and self-rule. "Would God that we had died in Egypt!" (see Numbers 14:2).

Moses as spiritual and temporal leader was in the worst of all situations: his skills questioned, his program criticized, his practices failing to compare favorably with past experience, the ultimate purpose of the journey lost to the struggles of the moment.

The response of Moses the man is completely understandable: This is too much. I cannot bear it. (see numbers 11:14).

But another Moses also exerted himself-the Moses of faith and dogged determination: The complaints were deeply felt and his own inadequacies clearly recognized and yet...he prayed for his people (see Numbers 21:7).

He cared for them, would not abandon them, and opened himself to introspection and the possibility of course corrections.

That ragtag group threatening revolt was his people. They were his and he was theirs. He would lead them even when they complained, forgot, disobeyed, looked elsewhere for leadership, and ignored opportunities to turn their circumstances around.

Sometimes it seems that for every action there is an equal and opposite criticism.

Keep in mind: People may not remember the good you have done or appreciate the hopes and good intentions you have. You may give of your heart, mind and strength only to be kicked in the teeth. Do it anyway. Keep your hopes and intentions alive anyway. Open yourself to prayerful or meditative introspection. Don't hold so tightly to your image or reputation that you refuse to see opportunities to make a change.

Those for whom you have a responsibility or stewardship may not care and may criticize your efforts. Be responsible, be a good steward anyway.