MURMURS IN THE WILDERNESS
LESSON 3 ONE OCCASION OF MURMURS
Don’t forget to read the books of Exodus and Numbers if you have not yet done so. This will help you have a better understanding of the material we are studying. If possible, also read Deuteronomy as it retells and helps to reinforce these thoughts in our minds.
"Nor complain, as some of them also complained..." (1 Corinthians 10:10, NKJV).
We continue studying an occasion of murmurings by the Israelites:
the complaint, the reaction (or reactions), the reply (or replies), and the result.
F. Murmuring that resulted when Moses spent time on Mount Sinai with God. Exodus 32:1-35
Perhaps this occasion is more familiar to us. Let’s carefully study this example of murmuring.
1. How long was Moses on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24:12-18)?
2. During this time the Israelites grew restless. What was the complaint they made to Aaron about Moses in Exodus 32:1, and what request did they make?
3. Do we often murmur if we do not immediately understand why certain things are happening?
Do we also make gods to go before us rather than waiting on God?
Give examples if you answered yes. If you answered no, also explain.
Study Aaron's and the people's reactions in Exodus 32:2-6 and answer the following questions:
4. What did Aaron tell the people to do in verses 2-3?
5. When Aaron received their gold, what did he do?
6. What did the Israelites say in verse 4 when they saw this?
7. What was Aaron’s response in verse 5?
8. Describe what was done during this feast.
9. What was God’s reply to Moses in Exodus 32:7-8?
Notice the Lord spoke of the Israelites as Moses’ people rather than His people.
10. Was God happy with the Israelites in verses 9 and 10 ?
What did God reply next to Moses?
Read Exodus 32:11-14. Moses interceded for the Israelites. This interceding brought results.
This should illustrate to us the value of interceding for others as we pray. We understand that
God’s will never changes, but we are commanded to pray for others.
1 Timothy 2:1 "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men."
God wants us to bring our requests to Him.James 4:2 reminds us "...you do not have because you do not ask."
Read Exodus 32:15-35 and answer the following questions:
11. Tell Moses’ reaction when he came down from the mountain and saw what was happening (verses 15-19).
12. What did Moses do with the molded calf?
13. In verse 21, what did Moses ask Aaron?
Can our actions cause others to sin?
14. How did Aaron justify the actions, verses 22-24?
Does God accept our excuses for sin?
15. From verses 25-35, list the results, the consequences, of this murmuring.
Think carefully about God’s reply in Exodus 32:33, "And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book."
FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION
16. Notice any occasion of murmuring / complaining you do this week. Ask yourself if it truly helped the situation.
"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and
harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:14-15)
.
Dena
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