The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 17:10b,
"This will put an end to their grumbling against me [the Lord], so that they [the Israelites] will not die."
Merriam-Webster defines grumble as "to mutter in discontent."
After the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron (and thus, against the Lord), challenging their leadership, the Lord had Moses gather a staff from the leader of each tribe, 12 in all. He had Moses place them in the tabernacle with the direction that whoever's staff sprouted overnight was the man the Lord chose, "The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites." Verse 5.
Grumbling against the Lord, his choices, his will, is the essence of an absence of faith. When we embrace the Lord in faith, it necessarily requires a fear and reverence for who he is and what he is capable of. Being critical of God's choices places anyone in an appalling position with him.
Here are a few verses about grumbling:
"We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel." 1 Corinthians 10:9-10.
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.'" Philippians 2:14-15.
"Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." 1 Peter 4:8-9.
As I think about grumbling, Proverbs 19:3 comes to mind, "A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"This will put an end to their grumbling against me [the Lord], so that they [the Israelites] will not die."
Merriam-Webster defines grumble as "to mutter in discontent."
After the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron (and thus, against the Lord), challenging their leadership, the Lord had Moses gather a staff from the leader of each tribe, 12 in all. He had Moses place them in the tabernacle with the direction that whoever's staff sprouted overnight was the man the Lord chose, "The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites." Verse 5.
Grumbling against the Lord, his choices, his will, is the essence of an absence of faith. When we embrace the Lord in faith, it necessarily requires a fear and reverence for who he is and what he is capable of. Being critical of God's choices places anyone in an appalling position with him.
Here are a few verses about grumbling:
"We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel." 1 Corinthians 10:9-10.
"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, 'children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.'" Philippians 2:14-15.
"Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" James 5:9.
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." 1 Peter 4:8-9.
As I think about grumbling, Proverbs 19:3 comes to mind, "A person's own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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