Tag: murmuring
Connection breakers!
Scripture Reading for February 13th: Numbers 9-12
The Israelites are ready to move out from Mt. Sinai after receiving the ten commandments. They have just eaten the Passover meal on the first anniversary after leaving Egypt. They have been traveling and camping in the wilderness for a year and are ready to go to the land of promise. The tribes were set in order and the trumpets were ready to sound and call the people to move out. (Numbers 10:1-7) The Ark of God was carried by the Levites and God in the cloud overshadowed them.
Shortly after moving out from Mt. Sinai, the rabble began to cause trouble by murmuring and complaining. The rabble were people who lived on the fringes of the camp, often not true Israelites. They followed God’s people, but really did not have a relationship with the God of Israel. They experienced the miracles and deliverance, but weren’t really believers. When the manna got old, the wilderness got hot, and the journey got long, these “rabble-rousers” would cause trouble. They craved the foods of Egypt. (Numbers 11:4-6) God sent fire, burning up some of this group and Moses prayed for them. (Numbers 11:1-3)
Life is no different today. There are those in the church who like to complain and belly-ache! Their pastor never does anything right. God has brought them to this point to let them die. They don’t like the music. They don’t like the youth pastor. The pastor’s wife is cold and aloof! Nothing is as good as it used to be with the last pastor! The sermons are too long, the drums are too loud, and the pastor walked right by me and didn’t say hello or shake my hand!
When we complain, we are actually accusing God of failure to care for us and do right by us. This complaint makes God angry! (Numbers 11:10) The leader feels bad too. When things don’t go as you expect or desire, avoid the temptation to complain. Instead, pray for your leadership. Look for something good to say and encourage them. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. Remember that rabble-rousers always end up taking the heat! (fire from God!)