◄ Numbers 14:27 ►
"How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me.
Study Bible
How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me?
This phrase reflects God's frustration with the Israelites' persistent lack of faith and trust. The term "wicked congregation" highlights their collective rebellion and disobedience. This grumbling is not a new occurrence; it echoes previous complaints during their journey from Egypt (Exodus 16:2-3, Numbers 11:1). The Israelites' grumbling is a direct challenge to God's authority and provision, showing a lack of gratitude and faith. The rhetorical question "How long" indicates God's patience is being tested, reminiscent of His earlier patience in Exodus 34:6-7. The congregation's behavior is a pattern of unbelief that contrasts with the faith of figures like Caleb and Joshua, who trusted in God's promises (Numbers 14:6-9).

I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me.
God's awareness of the Israelites' complaints underscores His omniscience and involvement in their lives. The phrase "I have heard" indicates that nothing escapes God's notice, aligning with passages like Psalm 94:9, which affirms God's ability to hear and see all things. The complaints are not just against Moses and Aaron but ultimately against God Himself, as they question His plan and power. This mirrors the broader biblical theme of human rebellion against divine authority, seen in Genesis 3 with Adam and Eve's disobedience. The Israelites' complaints are a rejection of God's covenant promises, which were meant to set them apart as His chosen people (Exodus 19:5-6). This rebellion foreshadows the ultimate rejection of Christ by many, despite His fulfillment of God's promises (John 1:11).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. They are characterized by frequent complaints and lack of faith in God's promises.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. He often intercedes on behalf of the Israelites when they rebel against God.

3. Aaron
Moses' brother and the first high priest of Israel. He assists Moses in leading the people and performing priestly duties.

4. The Wilderness
The setting for the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. It is a place of testing and revelation of the Israelites' faith and obedience to God.

5. God's Judgment
The event where God expresses His displeasure with the Israelites' continuous grumbling and lack of faith, leading to consequences for their disobedience.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Grumbling
Grumbling against God reflects a lack of faith and trust in His provision and plan. It is important to cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust, even in difficult circumstances.

God Hears Our Complaints
God is attentive to the words and attitudes of His people. We should be mindful of our speech and attitudes, ensuring they align with faith and reverence.

Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience and lack of faith can lead to serious consequences. It is crucial to learn from the Israelites' example and strive for obedience and trust in God.

Intercession and Leadership
Moses' role as an intercessor highlights the importance of praying for others and seeking God's mercy on behalf of those who are struggling in their faith.

Faith in God's Promises
The Israelites' journey is a reminder to hold fast to God's promises, even when the path seems uncertain or challenging.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day examples of grumbling against God, and how can we address them in our own lives?

2. How does the Israelites' experience in the wilderness serve as a warning for us today in our spiritual journey?

3. In what ways can we cultivate a heart of gratitude and trust in God's provision, especially during challenging times?

4. How can we, like Moses, intercede for others who may be struggling in their faith or facing difficult circumstances?

5. What are some specific promises of God that we can hold onto when we face uncertainty or doubt in our lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 16
The Israelites' grumbling about food in the wilderness, showing a pattern of dissatisfaction and lack of trust in God's provision.

Psalm 95
A reflection on the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness, urging believers to listen to God's voice and not harden their hearts.

Hebrews 3
A New Testament reference to the Israelites' unbelief and disobedience, serving as a warning to Christians to remain faithful and obedient to God.
Sermons
The Could not Enter in Because of UnbeliefW. Binnie Numbers 14:1-45
Base MurmuringW. Jones.Numbers 14:26-29
The Sentence of God Upon the Sinful PeopleW. Jones.Numbers 14:26-29
God's Decision Repeated as a MessageD. Young Numbers 14:26-35
People
Aaron, Amalekites, Caleb, Canaanites, Egyptians, Israelites, Jephunneh, Joshua, Moses, Nun
Places
Egypt, Hormah, Kadesh-barnea, Red Sea
Topics
Assembly, Bear, Community, Company, Complaints, Congregation, Ears, Evil, Grumble, Grumbling, Israelites, Making, Murmur, Murmuring, Murmurings, Outcries, Sons, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 14:27

     1025   God, anger of
     1095   God, patience of
     5159   hearing
     6163   faults
     6231   rejection of God
     7206   community
     8765   grudge

Numbers 14:13-39

     6257   unbelievers

Numbers 14:20-35

     5431   oaths, divine

Numbers 14:20-38

     7258   promised land, early history

Numbers 14:26-27

     5265   complaints

Numbers 14:26-35

     4207   land, divine gift

Numbers 14:27-30

     5928   resentment, against God

Library
Moses the Intercessor
'Pardon, I beseech Thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of Thy mercy, and as Thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.' --NUM. xiv. 19. See how in this story a divine threat is averted and a divine promise is broken, thus revealing a standing law that these in Scripture are conditional. This striking incident of Moses' intercession suggests to us some thoughts as to I. The ground of the divine forgiveness. The appeal is not based on anything in the people. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Weighed, and Found Wanting
'And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron; and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3. And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4. And they said one …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Order and Argument in Prayer
It is further observable that though a good man hastens to God in his trouble, and runs with all the more speed because of the unkindness of his fellow men, yet sometimes the gracious soul is left without the comfortable presence of God. This is the worst of all griefs; the text is one of Job's deep groans, far deeper than any which came from him on account of the loss of his children and his property: "Oh that I knew where I might find HIM!" The worst of all losses is to lose the smile of my God. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 12: 1866

The Spies
THE UNBELIEF OF THE CHILDREN of Israel, prompted them to send spies into Canaan. God had told them that it was a good land, and he had promised to drive out their enemies, they ought therefore to have marched forward with all confidence to possess the promised heritage. Instead of this, they send twelve princes to spy out the land, and "alas, for human nature," ten of these were faithless, and only two true to the Lord. Read over the narrative, and mark the ill effect of the lying message, and the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Afraid of Giants
'And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; 18. And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; 19. And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; 20. And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Personality of Power.
A Personally Conducted Journey. Everyone enjoys the pleasure of travel; but nearly all shrink back from its tiresomeness and drudgery. The transportation companies are constantly scheming to overcome this disagreeable side for both pleasure and business travel. One of the popular ways of pleasure travel of late is by means of personally conducted tours. A party is formed, often by the railroad company, and is accompanied by a special agent to attend to all the business matters of the trip. A variation …
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

Exploring Canaan by Faith
EXPLORING CANAAN BY FAITH I can not understand faith. What is faith, anyway? I try to believe; sometimes I feel that my faith is strong, but at other times I feel that my faith is giving way. Can you help me in this matter? Faith seems such a hazy, intangible, elusive thing; now I think I have it, now it seems certain I have it not. I feel at times that my faith is so strong I could believe anything, then again I feel that every bit of faith I had is gone. Can you give me any instructions that will …
Robert Lee Berry—Adventures in the Land of Canaan

Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity.
Second Sermon. Text: Romans 11, 33-36. THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY.[1] [Footnote 1: This sermon was first printed in 1535, at Wittenberg.] 1. This festival requires us to instruct the people in the dogma of the Holy Trinity, and to strengthen both memory and faith concerning it. This is the reason why we take up the subject once more. Without proper instruction and a sound foundation in this regard, other dogmas cannot be rightly and successfully treated. The other festivals of the year present …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thirdly, for Thy Actions.
1. Do no evil, though thou mightest; for God will not suffer the least sin, without bitter repentance, to escape unpunished. Leave not undone any good that thou canst. But do nothing without a calling, nor anything in thy calling, till thou hast first taken counsel at God's word (1 Sam. xxx. 8) of its lawfulness, and pray for his blessings upon thy endeavour; and then do it in the name of God, with cheerfulness of heart, committing the success to him, in whose power it is to bless with his grace …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Earliest Christian Preaching
1. THUS far we have confined ourselves to the words of Jesus. The divine necessity of His death, indicated in the Old Testament and forming the basis of all His teaching regarding it, is the primary truth; the nature of that necessity begins to be revealed as the death is set in relation to the ransoming of many, and to the institution of a new covenant -- that is, a new religion, having as its fundamental blessing the forgiveness of sins. I do not think this view of our Lord's mind as to His own …
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
A BRIEF AND FAITHFUL RELATION OF THE EXCEEDING MERCY OF GOD IN CHRIST TO HIS POOR SERVANT, JOHN BUNYAN; WHEREIN IS PARTICULARLY SHOWED THE MANNER OF HIS CONVERSION, HIS SIGHT AND TROUBLE FOR SIN, HIS DREADFUL TEMPTATIONS, ALSO HOW HE DESPAIRED OF GOD'S MERCY, AND HOW THE LORD AT LENGTH THROUGH CHRIST DID DELIVER HIM FROM ALL THE GUILT AND TERROR THAT LAY UPON HIM. Whereunto is added a brief relation of his call to the work of the ministry, of his temptations therein, as also what he hath met with …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Numbers 14:27 NIV
Numbers 14:27 NLT
Numbers 14:27 ESV
Numbers 14:27 NASB
Numbers 14:27 KJV

Numbers 14:27 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Numbers 14:26
Top of Page
Top of Page