CENTRAL THOUGHT
The believer should not murmur against or Christian leaders.
Hymn: “Christian, seek not yet repose.”
TEXT: EX.15:22-24; 16:12; 17:3; 1 COR.10:1-12; NUM.14:2-4; 27-39.
INTRODUCTION:
This 5th lesson under the series Wilderness Experiences focuses on murmuring, one of the negative traits displayed by Israel in the wilderness as they journeyed towards the promised land.
Israel murmured against God and His appointed leaders. Among things, they murmured over food, water, etc. A major occasion on which they murmured was when ten of the twelve spies sent by Moses brought an evil report about the promised land. The people murmured and accused God of bringing them into the land to kill them. According to them “…Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in
this wilderness! …… were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” (Num.14:2-4). Their murmuring displeased God and He pronounced judgement upon the men who brought the evil report and those who believed them. Murmuring is still common among the believers today like the Israelites, we
murmur when we are exposed to any little trial. When there is a lack of food, or lean finances etc. some believers do not hesitate to accuse God of not caring for them. Sometimes they utter words that are unexpected of believers. As believers we must exercise discipline over our words, thoughts and deeds. We should avoid murmuring and its close associates of grumbling and complaining. They are not traits expected of a believer.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
To understand what it means to murmur.
To understand the implications of murmuring.
To know some of the situations that made Israel to murmur.
To know that a believer is not expected to murmur.
To know how to avoid murmuring.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT DO YOU UNDERSTAND BY THE WORD MURMUR?
In our context, murmur can be explained as an expression of discontent. It carries with it complaining and grumbling.
Murmuring therefore implies a feeling of dissatisfaction towards somebody. Hence when Israel murmured against God, they were actually showing discontentment or disaffection for His ways. Their murmuring appeared to indicate that they were no longer willing for Him to lead them. They suggested by their murmuring that they no longer believed in His ability to take them to the promised land. These were the grave implications of their murmuring.
Given this understanding, it must be appreciated that murmuring against God and those appointed by Him to
lead His people is as grave an offence today as it was with Israel in the wilderness. Murmuring is therefore a trait that the believer must prayerfully overcome.
QUESTION 2) WHAT WERE SOME OF THE SITUATIONS THAT MADE ISRAEL TO MURMUR?
EX.15:23-24; 16:2-8; DEUT.1:23-28
Most times, Israel’s murmurings centered on material things. They murmured for water, food etc. As they
journeyed to the promised land, when they got to Marah and could not drink of the waters of Marah because of their bitterness, the people murmured against Moses saying “What shall we drink”. (Ex.15:23-24).
Also, when they came to the wilderness of sin which is between Elim and Sinai, the people murmured over
provision of food (bread). They said unto Moses and Aaron “Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Ex.16:3). It must be observed that in both situations, God provided their needs of water and food. In Marah He turned the bitter water into sweet and in the wilderness of sin, He provided Quails and Manna. However, the irony is that these miraculous provisions did not prevent them from murmuring on subsequent occasions. When faced with hinderances/obstacles put on their way by the enemy. Some believers murmur against God today in very many ways especially with regards to material provisions such as food, finances, clothing etc. In moments of trials some claim that God has abandoned them. Some murmur, grumble and complain over the issue of life partner. They ask “why has God not blessed me with a life partner” and they say “as a worldly person, many boys are interested in me but now as a believer, no brother appears to be interested”. Also, some murmur or grumble that as unbelievers they had money to play around with but now according to them, their finances have become lean. The danger here is that accompanying such statements is a hidden desire to return to the world just like Israel wanted to return to Egypt.
Believers beware. Avoid murmuring and grumbling. As stated earlier, murmuring has grave or serious implications. It suggests a lack of trust in God’s ability to take care of His children. Murmuring shuts or closes one’s eyes from seeing what God is doing.
It does not encourage faith; rather it promotes unbelief. It implies a discontent or a disaffection for God’s ways and a preference for our own ways. Again, believer beware and shun murmuring completely.
QUESTION 3) HOW CAN WE GUIDE AGAINST MURMURING?
The believer is not expected to murmur, complain or grumble against God and those appointed by Him to lead
His people. Truly in our Christian Walk, there are moments of trials/distresses. At such different times of no food, joblessness, lean finances, stagnation at work, etc our response should not be that of grumbling or murmuring. Rather we should prayerfully seek God concerning our situation. His intervention is assured. Also, we should maintain a constant attitude of joy devoid of anxiety but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving our requests should be made known to God. This will give us the needed peace to prevent us from murmuring (Phil.4:4, 6-7).
Finally, we must appreciate that God’s plans and purposes for our lives are the best for us. His word declares “ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but
watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off”. (Is.55:8-13). Believe His word. He will definitely achieve His desired goal for us. (Jer.29:11).
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Every believer should resist the temptation to murmur, complain or grumble about God’s dealings in his/her life. Let us walk closely with our God with the full assurance that He will perfect everything concerning us. The
exhortation in His word is that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
MEMORY VERSE
1 COR.10:10
“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and where destroyed of the destroyer.”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Mon: Murmuring over water- Ex.15:23-25.
Tue: Murmuring over food- Ex.16:1-5.
Wed: Do not murmur. Phil.2:14-16.
Thu: Be prayerful- 1 Thess.5:17.
Fri: God will give us an expected end. Jer.29:10-14.
Sat: His thoughts are not our thoughts- Is. 55:8-13.