MARCH / APRIL 2008
MURMURS IN THE WILDERNESS
LESSON 1 TWO OCCASIONS OF MURMURS
"Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured..." (1 Corinthians 10:10, KJV).
"Nor complain, as some of them also complained..." (1 Corinthians 10:10, NKJV).
The KJV uses the word murmur and the NKJV uses the word complain. Note the definition of the Greek word used in the original manuscript: "to murmur, mutter, grumble, say anything against in a low tone 1a) of the cooing of doves 1b) of those who confer secretly together 1c) of those who discontentedly complain" (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).
The NKJ Version was used for these lessons, but we need to understand murmur and complain are both meanings of the original Greek word, as is the word grumble which is used by some versions.
Remember to look for each of these as we study the individual occasions of murmuring:
the complaint, the reaction (or reactions), the reply (or replies), and the result.
A. Murmuring and complaining occurred before the Israelites left Egypt.
Exodus 5:1 - 6:9
1. Read Exodus 5:1-5. What was the purpose of the visit Moses and Aaron made to Pharaoh?
Read Exodus 5: 6 - 18. Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters to take away the straw used to make the bricks, but not to diminish the daily quota of bricks which the Israelites must make. He said the people were idle if they had time to go and sacrifice to their God.
2. Study Exodus 5: 19 - 21. The Israelites took their complaint to Moses and Aaron, for the extra work that had been given them to accomplish. Why do you think they blamed Moses and Aaron?
3. For Moses’ reaction, read Exodus 5: 22, 23. To whom did Moses take this problem? _____
What did Moses tell God?
When we have a problem, we often expect God to provide an immediate answer, with no additional problems. We desire instant answers to prayers, and answered in the way we choose. Is this acceptable to God?
4. Study Exodus 6: 1 - 8 and tell briefly God’s reply to Moses and what God said He would do for the children of Israel.
5. The result is given in Exodus 6: 9. When Moses told the Israelites what God had said, did they heed Moses? ______ Why?
When in the midst of great difficulty, do we listen to God by studying His word -– or do we feel all is unfair and no one else has ever had it so rough? The choice is ours — trust God and His promises or murmur, complain, and grumble.
B. After the Israelites were ordered out of Egypt, they were pursued by the Egyptians.
This brought about murmuring. Exodus 14:1-31
6. Read Exodus 14:1-9. God told Moses He would harden Pharaoh’s heart so Pharaoh and his army would pursue the Egyptians. According to verse 4, what was God’s reason for doing this?
7. What was the Israelites’ complaint given in Exodus 14:10-12?
Please read Exodus 2:23-25 and Exodus 3:7-9 to review the extreme bondage which the Israelites had faced while in Egypt.
Sometimes the past that once seemed so terrible may seem better than the difficulties of the present, even though that is not really the truth.
8. Psalm 106:7-8, "Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your _________; They did not ________________ the multitude of Your _________, But _______________ by the sea -- the _____ Sea. Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, That He might make _____ __________ ____________ known."
9. Moses’ reaction was to tell the people things they must do. Read Exodus 14:13-14 and list those things.
10. God’s reply to Moses is given in Exodus 14:15-18. God said to tell the Israelites to ____ ____________. God instructed Moses to _________________________
______________________________________________________________________
God said He would gain ___________ over Pharaoh and all his army. Then the _______________________ would know that God is the __________.
11. In Exodus 14:19-20, God continued to demonstrate His power to both the Israelites and the Egyptians. What came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel?
12. Read Exodus 14:21-22 and tell what happened to the Red Sea and how the Israelites were able to cross the sea.
13. Exodus 14: 23 - 28, What occurred when the Egyptians crossed the sea? _____
14. Exodus 14:30, "So the ________ saved Israel that day out of the hand of the ______________________, and Israel saw the Egyptians ________ on the seashore."
15. In Exodus 14:19-31 we read of the several results. What positive result do we see in verse 31?
16. Since the Israelites feared and believed the Lord and His servant Moses, did that stop their murmuring and complaining? ___________
FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION
17. Find a verse in the New Testament that warns against murmuring / complaining. Think daily on this verse.
Please make sure and let me know at the end of this lesson if you give permission for me to share some of your comments in our "Class Participation" emails.
It is good to have each of you participating in this study. I hope you will grow and be greatly blessed as we study together. Please feel free to email me anytime with questions or other comments you have.
I will pray for each of you as we study this course together.
Dena Ivie
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