"Neither Murmur Ye"

by J. MCCORMICK | Category: Neither Murmur Ye | Apr 1962

These words, found in 1 Corinthians 10.10, were a timely warning to the church of God in Corinth as to what was then, and is now, a grave danger to the people of God. The word "murmur" is never used in the Scriptures in a good sense. It always refers to something that has started in an underhand way, and manifests itself in words and acts which call down the censure of God upon the murmurers. That God looks very seriously upon murmuring is shown clearly in 1 Corinthians 10 where it is grouped with such sins as idolatry, fornication, and tempting the Lord. For this reason it is well for us to consider lessons taught by experiences of the past.

It is a remarkable fact that the word itself occurs very rarely in the New Testament, but the scripture before us takes our minds back to Israel in the wilderness, from whose experiences we can receive valuable instruction.

We purpose then, to look at those incidents. Firstly, we notice the apparent causes of murmuring and the lessons to be learned; secondly, where they murmured; and thirdly, against whom they murmured. Passing over the sad record in Exodus 14.11, 12, because the word murmur is not used, we come to the first instance where it is found in the experience of God's ancient people, in Exodus 15, where, at the bitter waters of Marah, they complained to Moses because of the character of the water. Their murmuring was speedily overcome by God pouring out a blessing, miraculously making the waters sweet. In this case, and in the next, there is no word of censure from God. Apparently, He passed by these occurrences because of their immaturity. They had not been long on the pilgrim pathway, hence they did not realize the gravity of their sin.

When we consider the next record, something more is revealed to us. "And the whole congregation... of Israel murmured" (Exodus 16.2). What was the root of the trouble? It was lack of bread truly, but more than that, it was lack of faith in the living God. Had He not redeemed them? Had He not made them to pass through the sea on dry ground? Did they not sing their song of deliverance on the shore of the Red Sea? Had they not seen the miracle at Marah? Having known and experienced all this, surely they could depend upon God to supply daily sustenance for them. But no! they turn back in heart into Egypt "Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, when we did eat bread to the full" (Exodus 16.8). Forgotten were the lashes of the taskmasters, forgotten their groanings, their burdens and tears, which had moved the pity of Jehovah to deliver them. Now in their hearts they turn back to the place in which they were once in bondage, and the murmurings begin. It is ever so! The carnally-minded saint is often a murmurer, his heart not being right with God. His heart is in the world. He would seek to be satisfied with its husks, albeit professing to be in a sound spiritual condition. Of such we need to beware. Their murmurings, like a cancerous growth will quickly spread. The seeds of discontent may be sown in the minds of others, oblivious of the fact that one of the things that God hates is, "He that soweth discord among brethren " (Proverbs 6. 19). Murmuring is not a static thing. It quickly spreads, and will bring spiritual death to those who are affected thereby. Jehovah suffered them to hunger that they might learn this great lesson, "that man doth not live by bread only, but by everything that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live " (Deuteronomy 8. 3). If the truth of this were appreciated murmurings would die away. It is most interesting that in these two instances referred to there is no recorded judgement; rather, God gave them abundant blessing in the manna sent down from heaven. In all other cases the judgement of God fell on them.

Next we think of Numbers 11. 1, "And the people were as murmurers, speaking evil in the ears of the LORD ". No reason is here given for their murmurings. It would seem as though they just grumbled for grumbling's sake. But one thing at least this incident makes clear, namely, that murmuring engenders evil speaking. Evil speaking leads to further ungodliness. It is variously described as "shameful speaking" (Colossians 3. 8), corrupt speech" (Ephesians 4.29), "empty words " (Ephesians 5.6). Be it remembered, "The ear trieth words, as the palate tasteth meat" (Job 34.8). "Take heed what ye hear," saith the Lord, so we should try the words of men by the light of God's word. They may with their fair speech beguile the hearts of the innocent, as did Absalom, who stole the hearts of the men of Israel. We need to beware of Absalom-like ones today, who with their murmurings would overthrow the faith of some. It would appear that the food question may have had something to do with the condition of Israel at this time. Their indifference to the manna is well marked, in the contemptuous way they spoke of it, "we have nought save this manna to look to" (Numbers 11.6). They despised the bread of heaven, which points us to the true Bread, which came down out of heaven, even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It is well to bear in mind that it also speaks of the written word which God has given for the sustenance of His children, and which should be partaken of day by day for spiritual nourishment. Carelessness in this exercise will lead to stunted growth with a loss of spiritual appetite. Then comes the desire for something to take its place. " I cannot be always reading the Scriptures," is perhaps the plaint of those who rarely read them at all, an evidence of a lack of appreciation of the wholesome food which God has given us. Israel desired something other than their God-given food, not the bread out of heaven, but flesh to gratify the fleshly appetite with what result ? Mark well, and consider with care the words of Psalm 106. 15, "He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." What a tragedy! If we leave the heavenly food, the inevitable result will be a lean soul. If we should seek to be satisfied, it may be, with the fleshly desires of the heart, the end will be spiritual barrenness as seen by God. The soul will begin to feed on murmurings, and nothing will seem right. God's truth never is right to the carnally minded. They complain that the path is narrow, the food is poor. Self-justification and wholesale condemnation of many things and persons often follow; all this is the result of leanness of soul.

God listened to the murmurers. He heard their evil speakings, and judgement followed. Beloved, "neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10.10).

The incident recorded in Numbers 14, gives us the results of the report of the spies sent into the land of Canaan. It will be remembered that the report as to the land itself was good, and agreed to by all. "Surely it floweth with milk and honey." But-yes, there was a but, and ten of those spies moved the hearts of the men of Israel. They had seen the giants, in whose sight "we were as grasshoppers." They had seen "cities ... fenced up to heaven." They could not take them. Oh! the unsurmountable difficulties that present themselves to worldy-minded men! Those defeatists had lost sight of an all-powerful God. The ten spies quailed at the thought of their enemies and the people quailed with them. Their sad thought was-" Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt" (Numbers 14.4). It was not now a question of food, but one of warfare. God had promised them a possession which had everything necessary for life and enjoyment, but they must fight for it, "Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours." (See Deuteronomy 11.24, 25). It was not an easy path, but one which called for constant vigilance and courage, coupled with an unswerving faith in the living God. However great the difficulties they were not insurmountable. Caleb and Joshua in rent garments tried to stem the tide with words of encouragement. The people were determined to stone them. At which moment "the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting unto all the congregation of Israel" (Numbers 14. 10). What an awe-inspiring sight! The time of judgement had come. The cause of the murmurings lay upon the ten spies who had brought an evil report (See Numbers 14.36, 37). The murmuring led to rebellion, and" rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft " (1 Samuel 15.28).

Rebellion in all circumstances of life is a serious matter. In a state it has the effect of setting aside lawful government. If not suppressed with a firm hand it disintegrates peoples, causing factions, setting up of parties, engendering strifes, and causing an overall state of confusion. No wonder that those in authority deal firmly with those who by their words and actions seek to influence others in such rebellion.

Rebellion in a church of God is a much more serious matter, for here it is not merely the setting aside of earthly government, but of despising God in His government of His people. For be it noted that government is one of the fundamental principles of God's way for His people, God's word must be the guide. "To the law and to the testimony!" (Isaiah 8.20). It is the only ground of appeal, and any action which would tend to rouse rebellion among God's people must be faced with courage and determination by those who are faithful to Him. Murmuring leads to sins of more serious consequences in the sight of God.

What an awful day this was for Israel! The judgement of God came upon them.

"And the men, which Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against Him, by bringing up an evil report against the land, even those men... died by the plague before the LORD" (Numbers 14. 86, 87).

"Beloved, "Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer" (1 Corinthians 10.10).

Within the hearts of men there often burns the fire of jealousy, and envy joins therewith to swallow up the people of God. "Jealousy is cruel as the grave" (Song of Songs 8.6). It is "earthly, sensual, devilish. For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed" (James 3.15, 16). And this is manifest to all in Numbers 16. What a sad state of affairs had arisen! Certain men had banded themselves together to challenge the leadership of God's people. This was indeed a matter of grave concern, for where leadership is challenged there follow in its train mob law and utter confusion. Notice what they say to Moses - "Thou must needs make thyself also a prince over us" (Numbers 16.13). Could words have been harsher or more untrue? That meek man, who had carried them as a nursing father, whose prayers on their behalf had been heard by God, would he make himself a prince? Never! Rather would he spend and be spent in their behalf. Moses was no Diotrephes "who loveth to have the pre-eminence" (8 John 9). He was fulfilling the work to which God had called him, and doing it faithfully (Hebrews 3. 5).

It may be there are some in our day who would challenge leadership among the people of God, some who consider that there is equality in all things in the house of God. Notice the argument of the factious men in Numbers 16.3 - " Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" True indeed, that in God's sight the people were a holy nation, and it had pleased Him to put His Name among them. But this did not make them equal as to responsibility and service. It was far otherwise, for certain men were called to do certain work, and were fitted by God to perform the tasks allotted to them. As witness-Moses, Aaron, Bezalel, Aholiab, Joshua and others, who faithfully did that which was laid upon them by the LORD. These were divine appointments and were to be recognized by all.

J. MCCORMICK | Apr 1962
Neither Murmur Ye