Numbers 14:2-4 NIV “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! 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.”” https://bible.com/bible/111/num.14.4.NIV

The Lord detests grumbling. You can’t read Exodus and Numbers without picking up that vibe. Why does He hate grumbling? It reveals a lack of gratitude for what the Lord has done, and it demonstrates a lack of faith that He will provide what is best for us. The grumbling occurring in this passage is a result of the negative report about the Promised Land. Ten spies shared that the land was indeed good but that the current inhabitants were too big and strong to be defeated by Israel. The purpose of sending the spies to the Promised Land prior to conquering that land was to bring back a report of its beauty and abundance in order to excite the people to greater faith and obedience. This is what it means to be an encourager. Those who do God’s work are to encourage God’s people to follow them into that work by painting the picture of the reward that results from obedience. The people still have to choose to obey, but their leaders should not be discouraging. Instead, they should encourage faith and trust in the Lord regardless of circumstances. The Lord detests grumbling. Grumbling is defeated by gratefulness and hope for the future. The man of God must remind the people of God what God has done and what God will do. The people of God must remember what God has done and trust the character of God that He will continue to do good. Everybody should obey the Lord, doing His will and trusting Him for the outcome without grumbling but with rejoicing.