The Danger of the Rabble: When Complaining Corrupts Community
The Danger of the Rabble: When Complaining Corrupts Community
There's a fascinating and often overlooked story tucked away in the book of Numbers that speaks powerfully to our modern church experience. It's the account of the "mixed multitude"—a group of complainers who disrupted God's plan for His people.
In Numbers 11:4, we encounter a peculiar phrase: "the mixed multitude that was among them fell a-lusting." This mixed multitude, or "rabble" as the Hebrew suggests, were non-Israelites who had packed up and left Egypt alongside God's chosen people. They were present in the crowd, but they weren't committed to the covenant.
Here's the sobering truth: just because someone is in the crowd doesn't mean they're in the covenant.
These individuals had witnessed the same miracles. They'd seen the parting of the Red Sea, tasted the water from the rock, and gathered the miraculous manna that appeared each morning. Their clothes never wore out. Their shoes never needed replacing. God provided everything they needed for their journey to the promised land.
Yet it wasn't enough.
They Desired Flesh Over Faith
The rabble's problem wasn't lack of provision—it was lack of contentment. They lusted after what God didn't provide instead of thanking Him for what He did. "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt," they whined. "The cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, the garlic! But now our soul is dried away. There's nothing at all beside this manna."
They called a miracle "nothing."
What reveals our true allegiance? Our appetite. What do we hunger for? God's house and God's word? Or our possessions, our profession, our prestige, our fleshly desires? The truth is we'll eat what we crave if we allow our flesh to control us.
They Poisoned God's People
Here's where the story takes a dangerous turn. Verse 4 continues: "and the children of Israel also wept again." The rabble lusted, and God's people started lamenting. The complaining became contagious.
One negative voice can affect many people. Hebrews 12:15 warns us: "Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Bitterness never stays contained. It spreads like wildfire through a community, defiling everyone it touches.
The complainers thought they were being constructive, offering helpful criticism. In reality, they were destructing the people of God.
Churches today aren't immune to the rabble spirit. In fact, it's alive and well in pews across the world.
The Anatomy of Church Complainers
Complainers cause trouble. They nitpick everything. The music's too loud or too soft. The preacher's sermon is too long or too short. The carpet's the wrong color. The coffee's too weak. They think they're being spiritual, but they're actually being divisive.
Complainers cause tension. When someone stirs up trouble, unity breaks down. People start choosing sides. The Spirit becomes hindered. Preaching is affected. Ministries shut down. People start looking for different churches. And the devil sits back and laughs.
Complainers cause turmoil. Once people choose sides, gossip begins. Lies spread. Before long, the church is so focused on internal conflict that it stops reaching the lost world outside its doors.
The Generation Gap Trap
One of the most destructive manifestations of the rabble spirit today appears in generational divisions within churches. We once had "white church" and "black church"—a tragic division that should never have existed. Now we're seeing "old church" and "young church."
This ought not be.
The older generation prefers the way things used to be. The younger generation says it's too old-fashioned. Both complain. Both cause division. And both hurt the cause of Christ.
Young people need to understand there's nothing wrong with traditional hymns and Southern Gospel music. God has used them greatly down through the ages.
Older believers need to remember that God didn't stop inspiring songs in 1960 either. King David wrote in Psalm 136, repeating the phrase "for his mercy endureth forever" twenty-six times! That's the original "seven-eleven song"—seven words repeated eleven times.
The point isn't which style is better. The point is that our preferences must never become weapons of division.
The Poison of Selective Memory
The rabble remembered the cuisine from Egypt but forgot the chains. They remembered the menu but forgot the misery. They remembered the food but forgot the Pharaoh.
When we complain about God's current provision, we're often romanticizing a past that wasn't nearly as good as we remember. We're preferring bondage over blessing.
The Prescription: Guarding Against the Rabble Spirit
How do we prevent the spirit of the rabble from taking root in our own hearts?
First, guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts above all else, for everything we do flows from it.
Second, guard your tongue. You cannot complain and praise at the same time. It's impossible. The Psalmist declared, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1).
Third, guard your attitude. Philippians 2:14 instructs us to "do all things without murmuring and complaining." All complaining is negativity and rebellion against God's Word.
Our job as Christians is not to be pulled into that spirit.
Moving Forward
Have you been hurt by the rabble? If you've ever done anything for the Lord, you probably have. Don't let criticism stop you from doing what God has called you to do. That's usually the purpose of the rabble—to stop the work of the Lord while thinking they ARE doing the work of the Lord.
Learn to discern between positive, constructive criticism (which is needful) and troublemaking rabble-rousing. Pray for wisdom to know the difference.
If you've been hurt, forgiveness is key. You must forgive before God can fully use you. Don't allow the enemy to steal your peace—one of the most precious gifts God gives besides salvation itself.
The rabble were few, but their influence was nearly fatal. They didn't destroy the camp with a sword but with their spirit. Let's commit today to being people of praise, not complainers; builders, not destroyers; unifiers, not dividers.
After all, we're all headed to the same promised land. We might as well encourage each other along the way. Don’t you think?
Shane Martin
Associate Pastor
There's a fascinating and often overlooked story tucked away in the book of Numbers that speaks powerfully to our modern church experience. It's the account of the "mixed multitude"—a group of complainers who disrupted God's plan for His people.
In Numbers 11:4, we encounter a peculiar phrase: "the mixed multitude that was among them fell a-lusting." This mixed multitude, or "rabble" as the Hebrew suggests, were non-Israelites who had packed up and left Egypt alongside God's chosen people. They were present in the crowd, but they weren't committed to the covenant.
Here's the sobering truth: just because someone is in the crowd doesn't mean they're in the covenant.
These individuals had witnessed the same miracles. They'd seen the parting of the Red Sea, tasted the water from the rock, and gathered the miraculous manna that appeared each morning. Their clothes never wore out. Their shoes never needed replacing. God provided everything they needed for their journey to the promised land.
Yet it wasn't enough.
They Desired Flesh Over Faith
The rabble's problem wasn't lack of provision—it was lack of contentment. They lusted after what God didn't provide instead of thanking Him for what He did. "We remember the fish we ate in Egypt," they whined. "The cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, the garlic! But now our soul is dried away. There's nothing at all beside this manna."
They called a miracle "nothing."
What reveals our true allegiance? Our appetite. What do we hunger for? God's house and God's word? Or our possessions, our profession, our prestige, our fleshly desires? The truth is we'll eat what we crave if we allow our flesh to control us.
They Poisoned God's People
Here's where the story takes a dangerous turn. Verse 4 continues: "and the children of Israel also wept again." The rabble lusted, and God's people started lamenting. The complaining became contagious.
One negative voice can affect many people. Hebrews 12:15 warns us: "Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." Bitterness never stays contained. It spreads like wildfire through a community, defiling everyone it touches.
The complainers thought they were being constructive, offering helpful criticism. In reality, they were destructing the people of God.
Churches today aren't immune to the rabble spirit. In fact, it's alive and well in pews across the world.
The Anatomy of Church Complainers
Complainers cause trouble. They nitpick everything. The music's too loud or too soft. The preacher's sermon is too long or too short. The carpet's the wrong color. The coffee's too weak. They think they're being spiritual, but they're actually being divisive.
Complainers cause tension. When someone stirs up trouble, unity breaks down. People start choosing sides. The Spirit becomes hindered. Preaching is affected. Ministries shut down. People start looking for different churches. And the devil sits back and laughs.
Complainers cause turmoil. Once people choose sides, gossip begins. Lies spread. Before long, the church is so focused on internal conflict that it stops reaching the lost world outside its doors.
The Generation Gap Trap
One of the most destructive manifestations of the rabble spirit today appears in generational divisions within churches. We once had "white church" and "black church"—a tragic division that should never have existed. Now we're seeing "old church" and "young church."
This ought not be.
The older generation prefers the way things used to be. The younger generation says it's too old-fashioned. Both complain. Both cause division. And both hurt the cause of Christ.
Young people need to understand there's nothing wrong with traditional hymns and Southern Gospel music. God has used them greatly down through the ages.
Older believers need to remember that God didn't stop inspiring songs in 1960 either. King David wrote in Psalm 136, repeating the phrase "for his mercy endureth forever" twenty-six times! That's the original "seven-eleven song"—seven words repeated eleven times.
The point isn't which style is better. The point is that our preferences must never become weapons of division.
The Poison of Selective Memory
The rabble remembered the cuisine from Egypt but forgot the chains. They remembered the menu but forgot the misery. They remembered the food but forgot the Pharaoh.
When we complain about God's current provision, we're often romanticizing a past that wasn't nearly as good as we remember. We're preferring bondage over blessing.
The Prescription: Guarding Against the Rabble Spirit
How do we prevent the spirit of the rabble from taking root in our own hearts?
First, guard your heart. Proverbs 4:23 reminds us to guard our hearts above all else, for everything we do flows from it.
Second, guard your tongue. You cannot complain and praise at the same time. It's impossible. The Psalmist declared, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1).
Third, guard your attitude. Philippians 2:14 instructs us to "do all things without murmuring and complaining." All complaining is negativity and rebellion against God's Word.
Our job as Christians is not to be pulled into that spirit.
Moving Forward
Have you been hurt by the rabble? If you've ever done anything for the Lord, you probably have. Don't let criticism stop you from doing what God has called you to do. That's usually the purpose of the rabble—to stop the work of the Lord while thinking they ARE doing the work of the Lord.
Learn to discern between positive, constructive criticism (which is needful) and troublemaking rabble-rousing. Pray for wisdom to know the difference.
If you've been hurt, forgiveness is key. You must forgive before God can fully use you. Don't allow the enemy to steal your peace—one of the most precious gifts God gives besides salvation itself.
The rabble were few, but their influence was nearly fatal. They didn't destroy the camp with a sword but with their spirit. Let's commit today to being people of praise, not complainers; builders, not destroyers; unifiers, not dividers.
After all, we're all headed to the same promised land. We might as well encourage each other along the way. Don’t you think?
Shane Martin
Associate Pastor
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