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Many were the occasions upon which Israel in the wilderness murmured against their God. They murmured against the manna and longed for flesh; against the authority and appointments of Moses and Aaron; against the reports which the spies brought concerning the land of Canaan; against the difficulties which beset them and the foes who encountered them upon their journey. No wonder that their gracious and forbearing Ruler exclaimed, "Forty years long was I grieved with this generation." The conduct of the chosen people in this respect is by the apostle brought under the notice of the Corinthian Christians as recorded for their advantage, to serve as a warning and a corrective to themselves. And there is no congregation in which there are not those who stand in especial need of the inspired admonition, "Neither murmur ye."

I. HUMAN LIFE ABOUNDS WITH OPPORTUNITIES AND TEMPTATIONS TO MURMUR.

1. There are such as are common to the human lot. There may be mentioned among these - infirmity and suffering of body; the brevity of its life, and its consequent insufficiency for carrying out favourite schemes or studies; the limitation of the mental powers and of knowledge; the imperfections of human society, civil, social, and religious.

2. There are such as may, at any time, be special to individuals. Some are called upon to endure personal sufferings and privations; others, sorrows and bereavements; others, unremitting toil; others, uncongenial occupations; others, calamities and disappointments; others, very limited opportunities; others, trims and persecutions for Christ's sake. All these may be occasions for murmuring, and sometimes those who are thus tried must need special grace to refrain from complaints, and to cultivate a cheerful, grateful, submissive spirit.

II. THE MURMURING HERE CENSURED IS A CERTAIN SINFUL KIND OF DISSATISFACTION AND COMPLAINT. The admonition may be misunderstood. The apostle does not exhort us to be fatalistically contented with whatever actually exists, to be silent in the presence of human wrongs and ills, to be careless and indifferent as to the improvement and amelioration of the condition of society. But we are warned against rebelling against God, complaining of his ways, and resisting his will. Circumstances may be displeasing and uncongenial to us, yet they may be permitted by the wisdom and goodness of God. The spirit of discontentment and rebellion must be repressed, and language expressing it must be silenced.

III. THERE ARE CONSIDERATIONS WHICH MAY ACT AS DISSUASIVES AND CORRECTIVES.

1. The injurious moral effect of murmuring. This is undeniable; we recognize its effect upon:

(1) The murmurer himself, whom it renders unhappy, using up energies which might be otherwise and well employed, and unfitting him for the service of God.

(2) Upon society generally; for the habit is most contagious, and is one which produces a very depressing effect upon all who yield to it and upon all who listen to their dismal complaints.

2. The dishonour done to God's providence. In fact, to murmur is to call into question, or at all events to cast some suspicion upon, God's wisdom, goodness, purposes of benevolence concerning us, and interest in and care for us.

3. Christ's example should deter his followers from murmuring. How cheerful was his demeanour! how acquiescent was he in the humiliation of his lot! how patient in suffering! how submissive in death and sacrifice! Followers and disciples of Jesus are inconsistent indeed when they give way to a spirit of complaint.

4. Murmuring is inconsistent with the proper exercises of religion. It cannot contribute to obedience; it is not consistent with giving of thanks and with praise; it is not the fruit of prayer.

5. The hope of the future should banish murmuring. The occasions for complaint - the trials of the earthly life - will soon be over. Let them have their way and do their work now. The prospect before us is one which may well inspire a contented, patient, uncomplaining disposition and habit.

PRACTICAL LESSONS AND APPLICATION.

1. The admonition of the text is the voice of Divine authority: how dare we resist it?

2. It is the voice of wisdom and reason: why should we resist it?

3. It is the voice of love and persuasion: how can we resist it? "Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."

"Some murmur, when their sky is clear
And wholly bright to view,
If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue;

And some with thankful love are filled
If but one streak of light,
One ray of God's good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.

"In palaces are hearts that ask,
In discontent and pride,
Why life is such a dreary task.
And all things good denied.

And hearts in poorest huts admire
How love has in their aid (Love that not ever seems to tire)
Such rich provision made."

(Trench.)

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Parallel Verses

KJV: Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

WEB: Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.