“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer”
(I Cor. 10:10).
Those of us who are New Covenant believers can discover the Messiah and understand His word and ways in these four categories:
- Shadows (Col. 2:17)
- Illustrations (Heb. 9:9)
- Testimony (John 5:39)
- Examples (I Cor. 10:6 & 7)
Let us look at number 4, “examples”. All of the things that happened to the children of Israel were warnings revealing to us what we are not to do.
The Apostle Paul warns us not to murmur as some of them murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer. (I Cor. 10:10)
As we start this new year, may we take some time to judge our own selves. We are to judge ourselves, so that we are not judged. ( I Cor. 11:31) When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (I Cor. 11:32).
WHAT IS MURMURING?
To murmur is the Hebrew word “liyn,” pronounced “leen”. The definition of this word is a bold picture of a very obstinate person. Hebraicly, the conceptual picture of this word murmur is that of a traveler who permanently stays “overnight” at an inn. In other words, a person who is hardened and won’t move. They are camped out in this position and refuse to change their opinion. Not only are they stubborn, they also bear grudges.
“Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (James 5:9) The Greek word for grudge means you are a murmurer.
When you are the murmurer, you put yourself in a place of “straits”. This is a narrow place characterized by trouble.
Murmuring
- A characteristic of wicked men. (Jude 10).1
- Is forbidden. (I Cor. 10:10; Phil 2:14)2
- Provokes God. (Num. 14:2, 11; Deut. 9:8,22).3
- Tempts God. (Exod. 17:2).4
May all of us be aware of our attitudes and the words that flow from our mouths. When we are tempted to murmur and complain, may we be reminded that God will deliver us from this temptation, if we will only ask (before we open our mouths.)
It is the thankful and grateful man that receives the blessings of heaven.
Blessings,
P/Karen
__________________
- So That’s In The Bible, 1997 Broadman & Holman Publishers., Pgs.332-333
- ibid
- ibid
- ibid
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Please join us on Wednesday night via telephone conference call. We will open up at 7:00 p.m.
Many thanks for all of you that have stood with us during this time of transition, as we await for our building to re-open. Thank you to all who have prayed for us and have undergirded us. To the city fathers, pastors, congregants and city leaders, we are grateful for how you have reached out to us to offer help.
May we all continue to be grateful for how the Body of Christ as they (you) continue to unite in order to accommodate us with meeting venues while we wait to get back into the building.
Conference call number:1-267-807-9605. Access code: 167848#
Sunday’s gathering will be announced on our facebook page –OliveTreeConnections on fb.
