Tag: complaint

  • You Will Not Be Led -7- Korah’s Rebellion

    You Will Not Be Led -7- Korah’s Rebellion

    מִדְבָּר

    The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, forgiving iniquity and rebellion. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generation.

    Numbers 14:18 CSB

    Numbers 15: Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them,

    ‘When you enter the land where you are to live, which I am giving you, then make an offering by fire to the Lord..

    32 Now while the sons of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day… 35 Then the Lord said to Moses,

    “The man shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”

    complaint of bread from heaven

    Do you recall their disobedience during the days of Manna In The Wilderness?

    IF you have been following ALL of the disobedience of this people you know this is NOT the first death in the wilderness for disobedience. We can easily look back upon violation after violation of the Commandment and instructions by THE LORD our GOD!

    Then Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field..” Yet it came about on the seventh day that some of the people went out to gather, but they found none.

    Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My instructions?”

    Exodus 16:25,27-28 NASB20

    Korah’s Rebellion

    Now Korah .. the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram, .. sons of Reuben, took action, and they rose up before Moses, together with some of the sons of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, chosen in the assembly, men of renown.

    A coup of 250 leaders of the nation sought to appoint their own Levite Priest (Korah) to lead the Nation whatever way they wanted.

    3 They assembled together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You have gone far enough, for all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is in their midst..

    Moses, Israel’s leader anointed by the LORD & Aaron, Israel’s anointed Priest of the Tabernacle now confronted by 250 men of an opposing party. They oppose the LORD and have an agenda of their own.

    Do you remember when?

    3000 Deaths – Punishment by the LORD!

    ‘The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand men fell dead that day among the people.’

    Exodus 32:28

    REMEMBER the VOTE about entering the ‘Promised Land?”‘

    MOSES lost that vote:

    • 10 Leaders AGAINST;
    • only Joshua & Caleb FOR.

    They had feared the LORD briefly, so they sent Moses to Sinai to Represent them before the Lord God! Then they appointed 120 Elders from the twelve parties (tribes) representing a remnant rabble of redeemed slaves through the wilderness.

    Now the MAJORITY brings a force of 250 against just Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, and unnamed loyal followers of the LORD!

    The LORD will Prevail

    • And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.Lev. 10:2
    • Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the ears of the LORD; and the LORD heard them and His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some at the outskirts of the camp. Numbers 11:1 Rabble & Rebellion
    • Fire also came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. – Numbers 16:35

    WE remember so easily miracles and blessings by the LORD of us, yet how easily we forget our promises to Him and punishments for breaking Commandment, instruction or promise.

    Roger @ talk of Jesus {dot}.com

    In the Wilderness 16: continued

    4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: and he spoke to Korah and all his group, saying,

    “Tomorrow morning the Lord will make known who is His, and who is holy, and will bring that one near to Himself;

    indeed, the one whom He will choose, He will bring near to Himself..

    .. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!”

    .. He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? But are you seeking the priesthood as well?

    12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

    Insolence against the LORD!

    The answer of Dathan and Abiram to Moses points back to Egypt and their former life in slavery to Pharaoh!

    13 Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey.. to have us die in the wilderness, but you would also appoint yourself as master over us?

    Indeed, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey..

    Recall that these were among the 10 who voted against Moses and Joshua and Caleb for continuing into the promised land of the LORD.

    .. nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you gouge out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!”

    The LORD instructs Moses to send for them. After receiving their reply, as Korah and the others had gathered before the LORD as instructed by Moses, he replies to the conspirators.

    15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the Lord,

    “Pay no attention to their offering! I have not taken a single donkey from them, nor have I done harm to any of them.”

    16 Moses said to Korah, “You and all your group be present before the Lord tomorrow, you and they along with Aaron. And each of you take his censer and put incense on it, and each of you bring his censer before the Lord, 250 censers; also you and Aaron shall each bring his censer.”

    The Glory of the LORD consumes His enemies!

    19 So Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation..

    21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, so that I may consume them instantly.” ..

    26 And he spake unto the congregation, saying,

    Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of their’s, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

    27 So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

    Numbers 16 Korah's rebellion picture of pit
    30 But if the Lord brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them with everything that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have been disrespectful to the Lord.”

    Death penalty!

    31 Just as he finished speaking all these words, the ground beneath them split open. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s people, and all their possessions.

    They went down alive into Sheol with all that belonged to them. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.

    Numbers 16:33 CSB

    34 At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled because they thought, “The earth may swallow us too!”

    35 And there came out a fire from the Lord, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense…

    And yet another reminder

    38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the Lord, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel..

    40 To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the Lord; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the Lord said to him by the hand of Moses.

    They murmured against the LORD’s punishment

    41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron..

    DO YOU MURMUR AGAINST THE LORD OR LEADERSHIP OF YOUR CHURCH?

    Strong’s Definitions H3885
    לוּן lûwn, loon; or לִין lîyn; a primitive root;

    • to stop (usually over night);
    • by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense)
      • to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain):—abide (all night), continue, dwell, endure, grudge, be left, lie all night, (cause to) lodge (all night, in, -ing, this night),
      • (make to) murmur, remain, tarry (all night, that night).

    Don’t WE tend to look back on what the Lord or our pastor did to us?

    • Exo 15:24 So the people grumbled H3885 at Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”
    • Exo 16:2 But the whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled H3885 against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
    • Exo 17:3 But the people were thirsty for water there; and they grumbled H3885 against Moses and said, “Why is it that you have you brought us up from Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

    “And it will come about that the staff of the man whom I choose will sprout. So I will relieve Myself of the grumblings of the sons of Israel, who are grumbling H3885 against you.”

    Numbers 17:5

    Who will survive the Wilderness?

    Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment.

    Numbers 16:45a KJV

    For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?

    Deuteronomy 5:26 KJV

    Some would not be led into the promised land. We who have known the great blessings of the Lord our God have seldom recalled the warnings to those who did not obey Almighty God.

    NEXT: In the conclusion of this series we will look to the example of Joshua in the wilderness and upon entry into the promised land.

    To be continued... 

  • COMPLAINT!

    COMPLAINT!

    Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

    6 Then Job answered and said:

    “Oh that my vexation were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!

    Ever had a bad day?

    The Lord had already put on my heart to write from Job’s experience as continuation for our Lenten preparation in consideration of the cost of the Cross. And then I had yet another ‘bad day.’

    Job was angry and frustrated with what GOD had allowed to happen to him after all of his faithful worship and righteousness in every part of his life. GOD had always rewarded Job’s righteousness.  GOD had always brought blessing into Job’s life.

    Blessing or curse: Is it from God?

    WHY! Job asked?

    Why ME! we ask?

    Why, Lord, have you brought me very low to this place?

    I know that I am a sinner. I know that I do not deserve your grace in Christ Jesus. I know that.

    But you have done all these things to me. You have afflicted me with my own sin and the sin of those I love. WHY?

    Prior to Job’s complaint (and God’s eventual answer and restoration): Job 2:

     9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”

    10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

    It’s OK to have an argument with God; Job did. It’s called prayer, private petition; and you had better be ready to brace yourself for God’s answer, if you have ears to hear as our Lord would instruct.

    It is a fearsome place… to be alone in the place of God… no wife (or perhaps, husband) to support you in your love of the Lord and care for your over-abiding love for her by God’s grace. It is a lonely place to sit among friends (even so-called ‘christian’ church friends) who feel sorry for you and fill your wearisome ears with misguided uncompassionate advice.

    Prayer for yourself

    Just between you and God

    Waiting to hear

    The answer of the Almighty

    Should bring us to our knees

    And bow down our sinful souls

    Into the dust and ashes

    Of repentance.

    Let you with ears to hear hear, before you would speak so boldly into the ear of the One who hung upon the Cross for your sins.

    Yet we have questions. And we have an Advocate in Christ who knows our pain. Jesus hears and will answer if only we will hear Him. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

    In our strong will to tell GOD what to do, will we hear His answer?

    Job 6:11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
    And what is my end, that I should be patient?
    12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
    13 Have I any help in me,
    when resource is driven from me?
    14 “He who withholds kindness from a friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
    15 My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed,
    as torrential streams that pass away,
    16 which are dark with ice,
    and where the snow hides itself.
    17 When they melt, they disappear;
    when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

    Yes, prayer with the Almighty, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a fearful place. Prayer is a fearful place for battered flesh and broken heart of one so continually refined by the fire of the Holiness of GOD.

    Yet the grace of His love comes at high cost. The ransom paid for our continuing sin is more than sufficient before the King for Him to be gracious to those He loves.

    Let us repent once more and listen. Let us this time obey and follow His Cross without turning or regret.

    John 12

      4 But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said…

    23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified…

    27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?

     40 “He has blinded their eyes
    and hardened their heart,
    lest they see with their eyes,
    and understand with their heart, and turn,
    and I would heal them.”

    (Are you praying, you with ears to hear?)

    Jesus Came to Save the World

    44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

    48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day…

    You with ears to hear hear… and pray.

    Pray also for me, sinner though I be.

  • Complaint to the Lord

    Complaint to the Lord

    Job 6

    English Standard Version (ESV)

    Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

    6 Then Job answered and said:

    2 “Oh that my vexation were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
    3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea;
    therefore my words have been rash.
    4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me;
    my spirit drinks their poison;
    the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

    8 “Oh that I might have my request,
    and that God would fulfill my hope,
    9 that it would please God to crush me,
    that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
    10 This would be my comfort;
    I would even exult in pain unsparing,
    for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
    11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
    And what is my end, that I should be patient?

    21 For you have now become nothing;
    you see my calamity and are afraid.
    22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’?
    Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?
    23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’?
    Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

    24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;
    make me understand how I have gone astray.

    Go not your own way

    Or run to your own understanding,

    But seek the answer of the Lord

    The eternal truth of temporal trouble.

    Numbers 15:39 NIV

    You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

    Psalm 22

    English Standard Version (ESV)

    Why Have You Forsaken Me?

    27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
    and turn to the Lord,
    and all the families of the nations
    shall worship before you.
    28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,
    and he rules over the nations.

    29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
    before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
    even the one who could not keep himself alive.
    30 Posterity shall serve him;
    it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
    31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
    that he has done it.

     

Do you SHARE the Gospel by either email or text?