Murmuring among the Israelites is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, particularly during their exodus from Egypt and subsequent wanderings in the wilderness. This behavior is characterized by complaints, grumbling, and expressions of dissatisfaction directed towards God and His appointed leaders, primarily Moses and Aaron. The Israelites' murmuring is often portrayed as a lack of faith and trust in God's provision and promises.

Exodus from Egypt

The first instance of murmuring occurs shortly after the Israelites' miraculous escape from Egypt. In Exodus 15:24, the people grumble against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?" This complaint arises when they encounter bitter water at Marah. Despite witnessing God's power in the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites quickly express doubt and dissatisfaction.

Provision of Manna and Quail

In Exodus 16, the Israelites again murmur against Moses and Aaron, lamenting their lack of food in the wilderness. They express a longing for the "pots of meat" and "bread to the full" they had in Egypt (Exodus 16:3). In response, God provides manna from heaven and quail, yet the murmuring continues, revealing a persistent struggle with contentment and trust.

Water from the Rock

The Israelites' complaints about water recur in Exodus 17:3, where they quarrel with Moses, accusing him of bringing them out of Egypt to die of thirst. God instructs Moses to strike the rock at Horeb, providing water for the people. This incident underscores the Israelites' tendency to doubt God's provision despite repeated demonstrations of His faithfulness.

Rebellion at Kadesh

Numbers 13 and 14 recount the Israelites' murmuring after the report of the spies sent to Canaan. The majority of the spies bring back a discouraging report, leading the people to grumble against Moses and Aaron, expressing a desire to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:2-4). This rebellion results in God's judgment, condemning the current generation to wander in the wilderness for forty years.

Korah's Rebellion

In Numbers 16, the murmuring escalates into open rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. They challenge Moses and Aaron's leadership, questioning their authority. This act of defiance results in severe consequences, as the earth swallows the rebels, and fire consumes their followers. The incident highlights the dangers of murmuring as it evolves into outright rebellion against God's ordained leadership.

The Bronze Serpent

In Numbers 21:4-9, the Israelites grow impatient and speak against God and Moses, complaining about the lack of food and water. In response, God sends venomous snakes among them. When the people repent, God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent, which becomes a means of healing for those who look upon it. This episode illustrates the consequences of murmuring and the necessity of repentance and faith.

Theological Implications

Murmuring among the Israelites is often seen as a reflection of the human tendency to doubt and rebel against divine authority. It serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of faith, obedience, and gratitude. The Israelites' experiences in the wilderness are frequently referenced in later biblical texts as a warning to future generations to trust in God's promises and provision.Exodus 5:21
And they said to them, The LORD look on you, and judge; because you have made our smell to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
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Exodus 14:11,12
And they said to Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? why have you dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
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Exodus 15:23,24
And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.
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Exodus 16:2,3
And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
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Exodus 17:2,3
Why the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said to them, Why chide you with me? why do you tempt the LORD?
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Numbers 11:1-10,33
And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
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Numbers 14:1
And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
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Numbers 16:41
But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, You have killed the people of the LORD.
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Numbers 20:2-5
And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.
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Numbers 21:5,6
And the people spoke against God, and against Moses, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loathes this light bread.
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Deuteronomy 1:27,28
And you murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he has brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
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Letter clxxiii. (AD 416. )
... 3. For if a bad will ought to be always left to its own freedom, why were the
disobedient and murmuring Israelites restrained from evil by such severe ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter clxxiii a d 416.htm

The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... which thou hast hitherto enjoyed? Might he not give thee life, as he gave
the murmuring Israelites quails? He might give thee life ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... Shortly after God's intervention in giving the Israelites food to eat, which ought
for ever to have closed their murmuring mouths, they pitched in Rephidim ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving
... Gratitude and murmuring never abide in the same heart at the same time. ... The bane
of the wilderness-journey of the Israelites on their way to Canaan was their ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iv prayer praise and thanksgiving.htm

The Finding of Moses
... Yet in spite of God's care and goodness towards them, these Israelites were often
ungrateful, and ... The murmuring people never saw their great leader again. ...
/.../steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/the finding of moses.htm

Moses Striking the Rock.
... except the Sabbath; but with all God's care and kindness the Israelites continued
to ... They were very thirsty, and came to Moses murmuring and saying, "Give us ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/moses striking the rock.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... We may think, as the Israelites did, that our discomforts and deprivations have ... He
uses; and when we murmur against these, we are really murmuring, not against ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Marah; Or, the Bitter Waters Sweetened
... gave them no straw, there was injustice; but when the Israelites gathered around ...
to this the hypocrisy and the injustice of veiling their murmuring against the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/marah or the bitter waters.htm

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... of men in general; and I say, that if the Israelites had a ... the people displayed in
the desert, their greediness, selfishness, murmuring, caprice, waywardness ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

The Poison and the Antidote
... The mutinous discontent of the Israelites had some excuse when they had to wheel
round once more and ... Murmuring brought punishment, which was meant for amendment ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the poison and the antidote.htm

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Murmuring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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