They Murmured in Their Tents – Deuteronomy 1:27

I. Deuteronomy 1:27

II. Introduction: It is hard to study the book of Exodus, which recounts the story of Israel escaping the bondage of Egypt and going to the Promised Land, and their 40 years of wandering, without an appreciation of the tendency of Israel to murmur against Moses and God.

III. What is murmuring?

A. Vine’s: to mutter, grumble, say anything in a low tone. Is used in the sense of a secret debate among people (ie., John 7:12 debate about Jesus in Jerusalem: Some said He was good, some said He deceived the people, but none spoke openly for fear of the Jews.)

B. A variation of the word appears 27 times in the Old Testament and 25 of these refer to the murmuring of Israel between Egypt and the Promised Land.

C. God gave them freedom by mighty power and the murmur that they have no water (didn’t pray!) God gives them bread from heaven and they murmur that they have no meat. They murmured against the authority of Moses and Aaron.

IV. A critical point in their murmuring came when the spies returned from the Promised Land.

A. As Israel came close to the land of promise, one man from each tribe was sent to spy out the land and to evaluate the people, the cities, and the fruit of the land.

B. All twelve spies came back with the same report: the land flowed with milk and honey, the people were strong, the cities were fortified, and the descendants of the giants, the Anakim, were there. Ten of the spies said that they could not take the land; Joshua and Caleb said that the people could take the land.

C. Read Numbers 14:1-5 (people murmur); 11-12 (God’s wrath/Moses intercedes); 26-29; 36-37 (the judgment of God).

D. As a result of their murmuring, the Israelites—who were brought out of the bondage of Egypt, walked on dry ground with the waters of the Red Sea, parted by the power of God, around them, heard the voice of God at Mount Sinai, ate bread from heaven given every morning by God—were not able to inherit the land that was promised to them

V. They murmured in their tents.

A. In Deuteronomy 1:26-27, as Moses recounts the story of Israel’s rebellion against God, a significant point is made: they murmured in their tents. It is repeated in Psalm 106:21-27.

B. Murmuring in the tents is complaining, grumbling, secret debate in one’s home, perhaps among one’s friends as well

C. We can picture the discussions in the tents “Moses brought us out here to die.” There was a groundswell of opposition to God and Moses as a result of the rebellion of the people and the murmuring among themselves at home.

D. Paul warns us, in 1 Corinthians 10, not to follow the example of Israel in their disobedience. This is one area where we certainly must not emulate them.

VI. How can we murmur in our tents?

A. We can complain against the authorities that God has set up, the elders.

B. According to Titus 1:5, a church without elders is lacking. Peter advises the elders on how to properly rule the flock, not as lords but as shepherds. We must submit to them because they are appointed by the authority of God, we must respect them because they have taken on a great work (often a thankless task from a human standpoint), and they should be helped and supported in their work. Read 1 Timothy 5:19-21. Accusations against elders.

C. The elders are not perfect men and will not always make perfect decisions.

D. If we disagree we should go to them and discuss our concerns with them. However, that being done, we should drop it lest we be in danger of undermining their authority and causing insurrection against the authority that God has set up, thus against God himself, 2 Thessalonians 5:112-13.

E. We can complain against the preacher.

F. I would not have considered preaching if I did not have a thick skin to handle criticism. (too long, too short, too many/not enough scriptures, didn’t use this <verse, story, argument>, tie is ugly) However, we must remember that those who preach are not perfect, and will not always preach perfect sermons in perfect ways nor do other aspects of their work perfectly. Paul had to spend several chapters of 2 Corinthians defending himself against the murmuring of those who denied his apostleship. There were even personal complaints against him, 2 Corinthians 10:10-11.

G. I hope that if you have a concern about my preaching or my work outside of the pulpit that you will come to me and discuss your concern.

H. It may be that a misunderstanding or oversight is causing you concern. If you tell me, and it is something that needs to be corrected, I can correct it. If you only tell your family and other members, it is of no help to me and in fact may interfere with my work.

I. Murmuring against the brethren

J. Galatians 5:14-15, 26 – We should not bite and devour one another. Galatians 6:1-5 – We are to instead reprove those who are sinning in a spirit of gentleness, help one another with their burdens, and being humble.2 Thessalonians 5:13b-15 –exhort one another, patient James warns that wars and fightings come when we are thinking too worldly, James 4:1-4. Our job is to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Ephesians 4:4. We are a hodge-podge of people from every walk of life, every part of society, different backgrounds, jobs, and circumstances. It would be easy to complain and pick one another apart. How much better to rejoice in our variety and differences and look deeper, to the soul, and be thankful for each one and seek to help each other go to heaven.

K. Results of murmuring

L. Many churches waste precious energy quelling revolts against God’s authority or disagreements among brethren. Some churches have divisions among brethren over incidents and situations from years before that never were resolved or where there is animosity. Some people lose their children to the world because the children heard much murmuring against the brethren and the preacher. Why would the kids want anything to do with the church or listen to anything the preacher had to say? This is a poor example for the world and a reproach on Christ.

VII. What is the solution?

A. For most matters: bear with one another (others bear with us!) and don’t get wrapped up about idiosyncrasies and insignificant matters.

B. For spiritual matters: Matthew 18:15-17 – go to the person; the giver and receiver of the matter must have love and humility towards one another.

C. Continual rebellion: Titus 3:10-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11-15

VIII. Contrast to the Christians in the book of Acts.

A. They spoke in their house and in their neighbor’s house: Acts 2:46-47

B. They built one another up and served God together. They saw to one another’s needs and didn’t despise their brethren.

C. Let it not be said that we murmured in our tents, but that of Philemon 4-7.