Verse 25. “But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord.” Murmuring! It may have been a malady characteristic of the Hebrew people, or a disease peculiar to that desert! As we proceed with this narrative we are constantly meeting it – creaking along in a discord harsh and chronic, or amazing earth and heaven with its shrill, ear-piercing paroxysm.
They lift up their eyes, and as the Egyptians pursue, the people murmur. They come to a fountain, the water is bitter, and once more, they murmur. Then, no bread; murmurings redoubled. Moses is no longer in the mount; murmurs. He takes too much upon him; more murmurs. When shall we reach that promised land? – murmurs extraordinary, loud murmurs. We are close to the land, but its inhabitants are giants and the towns walled up to heaven. A hurricane of reproach and remonstrance – a perfect storm of murmurs.
Verse 29. “Thus, they provoked him to anger with their inventions ….” Note, it is not said, with their deeds, but with their “inventions” – with their pursuits. It is one thing simply to do a thing; it is quite another to pursue it earnestly night and day. The first may take place by chance or through ignorance, or on account of some temptation, and that without the consent of, and against the inclination of the mind. But the latter is brought about in pursuance of a fixed purpose, and by effort and forethought. We see, therefore, in this passage that the patience of God was at length provoked to anger and fury when the people sinned not merely once, and again, but when the pursuit of sin grew and strengthened.
Verses 34-38. We see from these verses that the miracles and mercies which settled them in Canaan made no more deep and durable impressions upon them than those that fetched them out of Egypt. Observe the steps of their apostacy.
Verse 34. They spared the nations which God had doomed to destruction. Once they had got the good land God had promised them, they had no zeal against the wicked inhabitants, whom the Lord commanded them to drive out. They pretended pity; but God is merciful, and no man needs to think himself more compassionate than God is.
Verse 35. When they spared them, they promised themselves, that for all that, they would not join in any dangerous affinity with them. But the way of sin is downhill. Omissions make way for commissions. When they neglect to destroy the heathen, the next news we hear is, they “were mingled among the heathen, and learned their works.”
Verse 36. When they mingled with them, and learned some of their works that appeared to be only innocent diversions and entertainments, yet they thought they would never join with them in their worship. But by degrees, they learned that, too – “They served their idols... .”
Verses 37-38. When they joined with them in some of their idolatrous services, they never thought that they should ever be guilty of that barbarous and inhuman piece of idolatry – the sacrificing of their living children to their dead god. But they came to that at last. One cannot think of it without horror; they “shed innocent blood,” the most innocent, for it was infant blood – nay, it was “the blood of their sons and their daughters.”
Verse 48. “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting; and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord.” Martin Luther said once of the Lord’s Prayer that it was “the greatest martyr on earth,”because it was so ill-used and badly treated, without thought, feeling, reverence, or faith.” This quaint remark applies perhaps with still greater force to the word, “Amen.” The literal meaning – “So be it.” – is known to all; yet few consider the deep significance, the great solemnity, and the abundant consolation treasured up in this word which, for centuries, has formed the conclusion of the prayers and praises of the Lord’s people. A word which is frequently used without due thoughtfulness, can lose its power from this very familiarity and though constantly on our lips, lies bedridden in the dormitory of our soul. But it is a great word this word, “Amen;” and Luther has truly said, “As your Amen is, so has your prayer been.” Amen, and Amen.