Friday, February 3, 2012

Murmuring in the Wilderness--Exodus 15:23-27; 16-17

What did the children of Israel murmur about?  Identify all the examples you can find.

The children of Israel always found something to whine and complain about.  In Exodus 15:23-27, the people had been wandering in the wilderness for a few days.  They came to this one part of the wilderness that had a lot of water.  They started complaining that the water they found was bitter and therefore undrinkable.  They then called the land Marah, which I'm assuming had some meaning to do with the water they couldn't drink.  It seems to me like naming the land Marah to remind themselves that they couldn't drink the water there was an excuse to complain every time they mentioned the name...such a downer.  Every time I think of something that's not very good, it makes it hard for me to be in a good mood.  I've never wandered in the wilderness with nothing to drink, but I think that by reminding themselves about their bad situation, they were only making themselves that much more unhappy.  It seems like the more unhappy I am the easier it is to complain, which is I think what the children of Israel did to themselves in these verses.

In Exodus 16, the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness some more, and then they started complaining that they didn't have food to eat.  They complained saying that they wished they had stayed in Egypt because at least they were fed well.

In Exodus 17, the people, yet again, complained that they didn't have any water to drink.

How did the Lord respond to their murmuring?

In Exodus 15:23-27, the Lord responded to the murmuring of the children of Israel by giving Moses some sort of a vision.  The Lord showed him a tree, which touched the bitter water and made it sweet.  I think the Lord was trying to teach the people that as long as they are faithful and righteous, He will provide for them.  They need to have faith and keep enduring in righteousness.  The Lord then had Moses lead the people to a land with an abundance of good, clean water.

In Exodus 16, the people murmured and complained that they didn't have any food to eat.  Moses prayed, and the Lord said that He would send quails for meat and He would make it rain bread.  The Lord gave the specific commandment that they should gather food for six days so that on the seventh, the Sabbath, day, they could rest.  If they left any food out to collect on the Sabbath, it would be rotten and gross.  As long as they kept the commandments, they would be well fed with good food.  The Lord promised to send twice as much food on the sixth day so that they could stay home on the seventh.

In Exodus 17 when the children of Israel complained that they didn't have water again, Moses prayed to the Lord as to what to do.  The Lord told him to take the stick he used to part the Red Sea and go to this one rock in Horeb.  The Lord told Moses to smite the rock and water would come out of it.

For a people who complained all the time, the Lord was really patient with them.  Even though they kept tempting Him and murmuring against His commandments, He still blessed them when they were righteous.

Why do you think people murmur against God and those He has chosen as His leaders?  (See 1 Nephi 16:1-3.)

I think that people murmur against God and those He has chosen to be His leaders because of pride.  I think they know they're doing something wrong, and they're embarrassed that someone called them on it.  I also think that doing the right thing isn't always the easy thing.  By listening to the Lord and His leaders, we have to use our '"spiritual muscles" sometimes, and I think some people want a free ride through life.

What does murmuring usually lead to?

It seems like murmuring only leads to more contention.  I've noticed that when I am in a bad mood or even just complaining, the people around me become kind of irritated with me.  They let their frustrations with me be known, which gets me in a worse mood and I only complain more, and it just keeps going down hill from there.  We usually end up in some sort of fight or argument, which, of course, drives away the Spirit.


Read 2 Nephi 27:35.  Describe in writing what Nephi suggested as an antidote for murmuring.

In 2 Nephi 27:35, it seems like Nephi is suggesting that we really sit down and understand what we are being taught by the scriptures.  It seems like he is suggesting that we really learn the doctrine of the gospel.  I think that if we do, we won't have room to complain because we will know that we really need to listen and obey what we are told to do because God has only our best interests at heart.

What counsel would you give to a friend or a family member who murmurs against the commandments of God?

If a friend of family member of mine was murmuring against the commandments, I think I would first try to understand why they're really murmuring.  I might assume that it's because of one thing, but it might be because of a whole other issue.  I would ask them questions to see what their murmuring really boils down to.  I think that a lot of times, it's pride.  Whether they don't think it should apply to them or the specific commandment in question has called them on something they didn't want to admit to themselves or whatever it is, they probably think that doing something else would be a better use of their time.

I asked a few of my friends what they thought, and one brought up a good point.  He said that it depends on both your and their personalities.  If they're the type of person who would flip out, react badly, or in some way make the situation worse, it might be better not to say anything at all.  He said it also depends on how badly, if at all, it offends you.  If it does offend you, you can either say something to the person (nicely) or leave the room until they're done complaining.

Another friend brought up that it depends on if they're faithful.  Whether they are or not, you can definitely ask them to respect what you believe and not make comments like that around you.  If they're a true friend, they'll respect you and your request.  If they're faithful to God and His commandments, then you can try to figure out what's really upsetting them and help them past it and try to guide them back in the right direction.  Maybe they just misunderstood the commandment and that's what they're murmuring about.

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