AGAINST THE LORD

Today is Tuesday.  I wasn't able to blog Saturday through Monday, but today I have set aside some time.  I was reading in Exodus and I came upon chapter 16, and saw that the children of Israel, murmured against the Lord.  So this is my subject:

AGAINST THE LORD- Six times in chapter 16 of Exodus, we will see the murmurings of the children of Israel.  It starts in verse 2, when it states:  "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:"  Now to murmur, means:  "To grumble; to complain; to utter complaints in a low,half articulated voice; to utter sullen discontent; with at, before the thing which is the cause of discontent;"  This is according to the Webster Dictionary of 1828.  It gives this scripture reference as to explain it as well.  So they were grumbling under their breath.... to murmur!  But, the Bible tells us in verse7:  "for that he hearth your murmurings against the LORD:  and what are we, that ye murmur against us?" Moses and Aaron could not hear their murmurings because by definition, it is a complaint that is half uttered, it is something that you say under your breath, it is a complaint that you don't want the person you are complaining against to hear!  But, GOD heard!  Then in verse 8, it reads:  "for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him:  and what are we?  your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD."  Now herein lies the truth that God is teaching us:  When we murmur against God's men, we are murmuring against the LORD.  This is what was taking place here.  I'm sure that the people would say, "We didn't murmur against the LORD, we just murmured against these two leaders, Moses and Aaron.  Those are who we are complaining against, not God.  But, when God calls a man, God takes it personal when you murmur against His man instead of listen and follow His man.  God deals with the murmurers.  Remember in Proverbs that God says six things He hates, yea seven are an abomination to Him; and, the seventh is:  he that soweth discord among the brethren.  Discord is spread through murmuring!  That beneath the breath complaint.  That complaint that spreads silently from one to another in a low voice so only one can hear at a time.  The purpose is to bread rebellion.  As a pastor, I have seen God deal with people who murmur and it is not pleasant to see.  God deals with people who oppose His plan, and His man.  We are warned in Scripture:  "Touch not mine anointed; do my prophet no harm."  We are not our own, we are God's men and certainly not perfect, flawless men; but, men set aside for the cause of Christ.  Just be aware that the next time you hear murmuring, or are prone to exhibit it, remind yourself that it is to murmur against the LORD.   Don't do it!  Like Moses said:  who are we that you should murmur against us?  Well, just a word to the wise today.

May God's blessings rest upon you!  Pastor Mike Mutchler