Topical Bible: Murmuring: Moses

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Murmuring, as depicted in the biblical narrative, refers to the act of grumbling or complaining, often against divine authority or leadership. In the context of Moses, murmuring is a recurring theme during the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This behavior is frequently highlighted in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus and Numbers, where the Israelites express dissatisfaction with their circumstances and challenge Moses' leadership.

Exodus and the Wilderness Journey

The Israelites' murmuring begins shortly after their miraculous deliverance 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. Moses, seeking the Lord's guidance, is instructed to throw a piece of wood into the water, making it sweet and drinkable.

The pattern of murmuring continues in Exodus 16:2-3 , where the Israelites lament their lack of food: "The entire congregation of the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The Israelites said to them, 'If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, where we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve this whole assembly to death.'" In response, God provides manna and quail, demonstrating His provision despite their complaints.

Numbers and Rebellion

The book of Numbers further illustrates the Israelites' murmuring, often escalating into outright rebellion. In Numbers 11:1 , the people complain about their hardships, prompting the Lord's anger: "Now the people began complaining openly before the LORD about hardship, and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp."

A significant instance of murmuring occurs in Numbers 14, following the report of the spies sent to explore Canaan. The Israelites, fearing the inhabitants of the land, grumble against Moses and Aaron, expressing a desire to return to Egypt. Numbers 14:2-4 records their words: "All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, 'If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?' So they said to one another, 'Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.'"

Divine Response and Consequences

Throughout these accounts, God's response to murmuring is multifaceted. He often provides for the Israelites' needs, demonstrating His patience and mercy. However, persistent murmuring and rebellion lead to severe consequences. In Numbers 14:26-30 , God declares that the generation of Israelites who grumbled will not enter the Promised Land: "The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 'How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me. So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me. Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.'"

Moses' Leadership and Intercession

Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, often finds himself the target of their complaints. Despite this, he consistently intercedes on their behalf, pleading with God for mercy. In Numbers 14:13-19 , Moses appeals to God's character, asking Him to forgive the people's iniquity: "But Moses said to the LORD, 'Then the Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, "Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He had sworn to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness." So now I pray, may the power of the Lord be magnified, just as You have declared: "The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He visits the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generation." Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them from Egypt until now.'"

Moses' role as an intercessor highlights his dedication to the people and his reliance on God's grace and mercy. Despite the challenges posed by the Israelites' murmuring, Moses remains steadfast in his leadership, continually seeking God's guidance and intervention.

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Exodus 5:22,23
And Moses returned to the LORD, and said, LORD, why have you so evil entreated this people? why is it that you have sent me?
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Numbers 11:11-15
And Moses said to the LORD, Why have you afflicted your servant? and why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?
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Library

Moses Striking the Rock.
... water. They were very thirsty, and came to Moses murmuring and saying, "Give
us water that we may drink." How could Moses do that? He ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/moses striking the rock.htm

The Finding of Moses
... Moses was very patient with them; but once he was so angry that he was tempted to
disobey God's direction ... The murmuring people never saw their great leader again ...
/.../steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/the finding of moses.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... and not Moses and Aaron, who were only the "second causes." And the psalmist in
recounting the story afterward called this murmuring against Moses and Aaron a ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Jesus Discussed in Jerusalem.
... And there was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning Him: some said, He
is a good man ... Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you doeth the law? ...
/.../xvi jesus discussed in jerusalem.htm

The Poison and the Antidote
... come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall
live.9. And Moses made a ... Murmuring brought punishment, which was meant for amendment ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the poison and the antidote.htm

Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles.
... sought him at the feast, and said, "Where is he?" And there was much murmuring among
the ... Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you doeth the law? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/jesus at the feast of.htm

The Waters of Meribah
... The people are not changed, but Moses is. ... is love, which cannot be moved to anger
nor stirred to self-assertion, but meets and conquers murmuring and rebellion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the waters of meribah.htm

The Unmistakable Honesty of the Writers of the Bible Attests to ...
... closed their murmuring mouths, they pitched in Rephidim where "there was no water
for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter three the unmistakable honesty.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... (1) The fire of Jehovah that burned in the camp because of their murmuring. (2)
The appointing of seventy elders to share with Moses the burden of the people. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

Discourse on Spiritual Food and True Discipleship. Peter's ...
... [Jesus rebukes their murmuring as out of ... just as their fathers had not learned; and
Jesus accuses them in language kindred to the accusation of Moses when he ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxiv discourse on spiritual food.htm