You might find it hard to believe that God killed people for murmuring! But it is true. Of course, that was before Christ brought us grace. Join me for a quick 7-minute snack and I will give you the details.

Murmuring; 3 Valuable Examples, People Murmured, God Killed Them!

STM Bible Snack

Philippians 2:14 [read Philippians 2:12-18 (14)]

Do all things without complaining (grumbling) (murmuring)^G1112 and questioning (disputing). (NSB)

KJV: Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

G1112 goggusmos murmuring

G1112 γογγυσμός goggusmos (ğon-gïz-mos’) n. a grumbling — grudging, murmuring. [from G1111] KJV: grudging, murmuring

Murmuring defined

To mutter; to complain; to utter sullen (gloomy) discontent; a half-suppressed or muttered complaint; grumbling; an indistinct complaint.

Murmuring; 3 Valuable Examples, People Murmured, God Killed Them!

By the time you finish this, you’ll be very grateful for God’s grace. As you’ll see, God has not always delayed judgment and punishment.

1. Buried alive

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram’s murmurings and uprisings were in the end met with harsh punishment. In other words, the ground split apart and swallowed them.

Numbers 16:31-32 [read Numbers 16:1-40 (31-32)]

Immediately after Moses had finished saying all this, the ground under the rebels split apart, 32 and the earth opened up and swallowed them and their households down, as well as everyone who was there with Korah and everything that belonged to them. (FBV)

KJV: And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.

2. The brazen snakes

Instead of turning to God, the people complain about him and Moses (Numbers 21:5). The Israelites were once more punished for their grumbling. This time, a large number of them were murdered by the fiery serpents that God sent among them.

Numbers 21:5-6 [read Numbers 21:4-9 (5-6)]

They began to murmur against God and to complain against Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they whined. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink, and we hate this insipid manna.”
6 So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them to punish them, and many of them were bitten and died. (TLB)

KJV: And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 6 And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

3. They did not get to enter the promised land

For the last example, the Israelites murmured once more after the spies’ return from their review of the promised land. God punished them by denying them the pleasure of ever seeing that land. Thus, they died in the desert.

Numbers 14:2 and 23 [read Numbers 14:1-25 (2 and 23)]

All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “We wish that we had died in the land of Egypt, or that we had died in this wilderness! (WEB)
23 So not one will see the land I promised to their ancestors. No one who angered me will see that land [i.e., they will not enter the promised land]. (ICB)

KJV: 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!
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

Murmuring false teachers

Beware of and avoid people who complain. In fact, be mindful of your attitude and do your best to praise instead of complaining.

Jude 1:4 and 16 [read Jude 1:3-18 (4 and 16)]

I say this because some godless teachers have wormed their way in among you, saying that after we become Christians we can do just as we like without fear of God’s punishment. The fate of such people was written long ago, for they have turned against our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (TLB)
16 These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want. (NLT)

KJV: For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

We must learn how to carry out all tasks without murmuring. In addition, we must not complain about the fact that we must do them. For this sin, God poured out His anger on the Israelites; let’s not make the same mistakes they did! I pray that you have enjoyed this Bible snack. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further spiritual growth:

The Holy Spirit; 2 Valuable Truths You Should Know – an estimated 5-minute read.

Endurance; You Can Go Through Whatever You’re Going Through – an estimated 15-minute read.

Pay Your Tithes, God Wants You To Eat Them! – an estimated 8-minute read.

Your Hope Focused On God’s Grace Brings Eternal Life – an estimated 4-minute read.

Law to Grace; Not Under Law But Under Grace – an estimated 21-minute read.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

I look forward to your feedback via comment at the bottom of the page or by emailing tim@stministry.com. Have a fantabulous day!