Within the book of Numbers – Bamidbar – there is a recurring theme: that of complaining and grumbling. We see a continuing pattern of dissatisfaction with Moses and a lack of faith in the Elohim of Israel.  The first Torah portion, aptly named Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1–4:20), primarily deals with the census of the Israelites in the wilderness and the organization of the tribes around the Tabernacle, putting an emphasis on organization, structure, and responsibility. Implicitly, this sets up a contrast with the grumbling and complaining that is to come later.

Torah portion Naso (Numbers 4:21-7:89) concludes the census, and then the assembly of Israel are given Torah instructions on keeping the camp sanctified: rules for lepers and those unclean, determining fidelity, being set-apart as a Nazirite, and sanctifying the Tabernacle. Relationship. Holiness. Keeping the camp clean so that the Living Elohim will dwell in its midst.

Beha’alotekha (Numbers 8:1-12:16) starts-off with more setting apart: presenting the Levites as a wave offering, set-apart for the service of the Tabernacle. We also have instructions for Passover, and blowing of two silver trumpets.  However, chapter 11 is when we begin to see the contrast to the order, structure, and sanctification of the preceding chapters: And it came to be, when the people were as complainers, it was evil in the ears of יהוה. And יהוה heard it, and His displeasure burned. And the fire of יהוה burned among them, and consumed those in the outskirts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1)

You would think that fire consuming the complainers would be enough, but it didn’t stop there!  And the mixed multitude who were in their midst lusted greatly, so the children of Yisra’ĕl also wept again and said, “Who is giving us meat to eat?” (Numbers 11:4). Is the arm of יהוה too short? Where is the trust?  Oh, if meat is what they wanted, meat they would get!  The meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, and the wrath of יהוה burned against the people, and יהוה struck the people with an exceeding great plague. (Numbers 11:33)

The people complained and lusted (which is covetousness) in open rebellion to Moses and יהוה. The problem with murmuring, complaining, and grumbling is that it is malignant and infectious.  It can create a divisive atmosphere, leading to dissatisfaction and conflict within the community. The grumbling of the children of Israel festered and grew, even reaching Moses closest confidants: Now Miryam and Aharon spoke against Mosheh because of the Kushite woman whom he had taken, for he had taken a Kushite woman. (Numbers 12:1) Miriam became leprous and had to leave the camp, coming full-circle to the beginning chapters on keeping the camp sanctified.  The grumbling must stop!  The murmuring must be removed from the camp.

Leviticus 19:16 says, “ Do not go slandering among your people. Do not stand against the blood of your neighbor. I am יהוה.” To slander is to be a tale-bearer, an informer, a scandal-monger spreading tales and rumors round about.  The root of the word means to go about dubiously as a merchant or trader.  When you slander you spread tales about someone, often behind their back.  The murmuring and complaining against another grows and grows until it produces the rotten fruit of division.

You would think that after the complainers were consumed by fire, the eaters of meat consumed by plague, and leprous Miriam sent outside the camp that the children of Israel would learn not to complain, but alas, no that is not to be the case.  When presented with the opportunity to put their whole faith in The Mighty One of Israel, and enter into the promised land, they totally fumbled: Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. And all the children of Yisra’ĕl grumbled against Mosheh and against Aharon, and all the congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Mitsrayim! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! (Numbers 14:1-2)

How long shall The Almighty be scorned by this people? “How long shall this evil congregation have this grumbling against Me? I have heard the grumblings which the children of Yisra’ĕl are grumbling against Me.” (Numbers 14:27) Grumbling, here in this verse, is from the Hebrew root word “loon”, and in this context has a connotation of not only murmuring and complaining, but to lodge, tarry, and remain (as in stay overnight).  The people were holding a grudge against The Almighty Yod-Hay-Vav-Hay!  What a bunch of loons! As the Children of the Living Elohim, we are not to harbor a root of bitterness.

You would think that after the complainers were consumed by fire, the eaters of meat consumed by plague, leprous Miriam sent outside the camp, and the rebellious generation relegated to perishing in the wilderness after 40 years that the children of Israel would learn not to complain. Well, along comes Korach and the culmination of complainers that ends in destruction.  And Korach, son of Yitshar, son of Qehath, son of Lĕwi, took both Dathan and Aḇiram the sons of Eliyaḇ, and On, son of Peleth, sons of Re’uḇĕn, and they rose up before Mosheh with some of the children of Yisra’ĕl, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, called ones of the meeting, men of name. And they assembled against Mosheh and against Aharon, and said to them, “Enough of you! For all the congregation is set-apart, all of them, and יהוה is in their midst. Why then do you lift up yourselves above the assembly of יהוה?” (Numbers 16:1-3)

Not a wise decision to go up against and slander the servants of the Most High Elohim of Israel! They received their due reward, and it wasn’t pleasant. And it came to be, as he ended speaking all these words, that the ground under them split apart, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Koracḥ, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into She’ol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. And all Yisra’ĕl who were round about them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” And a fire came out from יהוה and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense. (Numbers 16:31-35)

Have we learned from the lessons of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness? Perhaps we should consider what it means to murmur against one another, to be tale-bearers, and grumblers.  What does it mean to be a complainer? Have we considered the implications about what it does to our community – that of the body of believers?  The second part of the book, the post-resurrection scripts, the Brit Chadashah offers some insight.

In John chapter 6 Yeshua said, “Do not grumble with one another.” Also Paul in 1 Corinthians 10, referring to the rebellion of Korach said, “neither grumble, as they grumbled, and were destroyed.” Also it says, “Do not grumble against each other, brothers, lest you be judged.  See, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:9) 

James (Ya’acob) also says in chapter 3 of his letter, “ Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.” Likewise, Jude warns against false teachers, comparing them to the fallen messengers, and Sodom and Gomorrah.  These “dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of esteemed ones,” and “blaspheme that which they do not know.” Jude continues, “Woe to them! Because they have gone in the way of Qayin, and gave themselves to the delusion of Bil‛am for a reward, and perished in the rebellion of Koracḥ.” Qayin, full of envy and hatred, Bil’am that of prideful delusion, and Korach – open rebellion.

These are grumblers, complainers, who walk according to their own lusts, and their mouth speaks proudly, admiring faces of others for the sake of gain. But you, beloved ones, remember the words spoken before by the emissaries of our Master יהושע Messiah, because they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own wicked lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved ones, building yourselves up on your most set-apart belief, praying in the Set-apart Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of Elohim, looking for the compassion of our Master יהושע Messiah unto everlasting life. (Jude 16-21, emphasis added.)

How do we apply this to today?  Are there divisions among the community of believers?  What are the reasons for the divisions?  Numbers chapter 12 says that the man, Moses, was very humble, more than all the men who were on the face of the earth.  It’s the grumblers, the complainers, the tale-bearers – those who pridefully set themselves up – that are the cause of division, scripturally speaking. So, how does this apply to us today? Who are the ones causing divisions? Is it you?  Is it me?  Are you eager to find fault with others while constantly pointing out their errors, and telling others about it behind their back? Or, are you looking to remove the log out of your own eye? Now I call upon you, brothers, watch out for those who cause divisions and stumbling, contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such ones do not serve our Master יהושע Messiah, but their own stomach, and by smooth words and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent. (Romans 16:17-18)

I would caution against keeping company with those who are divisive grumblers. Paul warned the congregation at Corinth (2 Corinthians 12) about there being “strife, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, puffing-up, unrests,” amongst the members. Divisions are caused by envy, strife, jealousy, slander, and gossip.  This type of behavior is immature, and not representative of how believers should act.  You see, it wasn’t just Korach who perished in the rebellion, but the whole group who kept company with him as well.  The letter of Paul to Titus tells us in chapter 3 to remind the community of believers to be “ready for every good work, not to slander anyone, not to be quarrelsome, to be gentle, showing all meekness to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, led astray, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in evil and envy, being hated and hating one another.”  Does any of this sound familiar?  Has anyone experienced this in our modern day?  If such is the case, then what recourse is there?

After some very edifying admonition, the letter to Titus continues, “keep away from foolish questions, and genealogies, and strife and quarrels about the Torah, for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second warning, knowing that such a one has been perverted, and sins, being self-condemned.” It seems clear from the text that we are not to keep company with those who are divisive. We can warn them, certainly, leaving plenty of opportunity for repentance.  “Do not hate your brother in your heart. Reprove your neighbor for certain,” and “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  (Leviticus 19:17-18) What then, if they reject reproof, refusing to be humble, and standing on pride?

Proverbs 10 says, “He who heeds discipline is in the way of life, but he who refuses reproof goes astray. He who hides hatred has lying lips, and he who sends out a slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not absent, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” When the prideful divisive person, once reproved, refuses to evaluate their own actions and reflect on their behavior, there really is no other recourse but to separate from them.  Those who would go along with the divisive ones are in essence approving of and validating the divisive nature, and, like Miriam, will also be separated from the camp as all complainers eventually are.

There is, however, an appeal towards unity in the Body: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the Name of our Master יהושע Messiah, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be knit together in the same mind and in the same opinion.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgression. (Proverbs 10:12) Brothers, if anyone among you goes astray from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the straying of his way shall save a life from death and cover a great number of sins. (James 5:19-20)

See how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity!  This means letting go of the prideful, self-serving, egotistical fleshly nature. Learning to take pleasure in weakness, insults, and distress for the sake of Messiah requires a humble heart, that puts others before oneself.  “A heart, broken and crushed, O Elohim, You do not despise.” Yes, we must reject the divisive ones, and yet leave room for repentance, always willing to allow the Elohim of Israel to cover a multitude of sins, “for יהוה is good; His loving-commitment is everlasting, and His truth, to all generations.”