p. 15 | Murmuring by R. M. Warren

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 25, 1872

Murmuring.

By R. M. Warren

The twelfth chapter of Numbers contains a lesson which the people of God at this time would do well to heed. Aaron and Miriam felt that they were not being honored as much as they could wish, and they saw no way of getting on an equal footing with Moses, but by reproaching his character. There are few ways to more effectually weaken confidence in the work of God, than of those who profess to believe in it, to keep pointing to real or supposed errors in the conduct of its leaders.

Yet when persons of not the highest spiritual attainments, become dissatisfied with their position, very often their first step is to begin finding fault with those whom the Lord has placed above them. They seem to have more than one motive for doing this. One is to lessen the confidence of people in their leaders, hoping in this way to bring themselves into notice and so receive the honor which has before been bestowed upon those above them. Another is to hide their own faults, by calling attention to defects in the character of those who are better than themselves. But this chapter shows how the Lord looks upon such conduct.

There have been but few in each generation who have come so near the Lord that he could speak through them to the world; but when such are found, he watches their reputation with a jealous care; for they are the instruments he uses for the salvation of his people.

If they have faults, or commit errors, the Lord knows it, and would, if he saw fit, withdraw his Spirit from them, and put others in their place; but while he retains them as leaders in his work, those who keep pointing to defects in their character, be they real or imaginary, do certainly call in question the wisdom of God in choosing the means with which to carry on his work.

If these murmurers were better qualified to do the work of God than those whom the Lord has chosen, they would be called to do it. But they have little reason to expect anything of this, while they continue to dishonor God by scoffing at his servants; for he has said, “Them that honor me I will honor, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” And besides, such persons defeat their own object; for in their efforts to tear down others, that they may build upon their ruins they reveal the selfishness, and malice of their own hearts.

There may be some who carelessly speak against the servants of God. Such need to consider the words of the Lord when, after speaking of the honor which he had conferred on Moses, he says, “How then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant.”

If the Lord should lay his hand upon those who thus speak against his servants, they would no doubt feel as much in haste as did Aaron and Miriam to have the very ones against whom they have spoken entreat the Lord for them.

R. M. WARREN.

Locke, N. Y., June 13, 1872.