Matthew 20:11

Saturday, 30 May 2026   And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, Matthew 20:11   “Having taken, also, they grumbled against the housemaster.” (CG)   In the previous verse, those who worked from the first came to receive their wages, naturally assuming they would receive more than those who only worked a short time. However, they only received a denarius. It next says, “Having taken, also.”   They didn’t refuse the wage, even if it is not what they were expecting. They would have remembered the original offer and their acceptance of it. As such, there was nothing they could do about that matter. But there is something they could do. It says, “they grumbled.”   It is a new word, gogguzó, to grumble or murmur. It is “an onomatopoetic term imitating the sound of cooing doves” (HELPS Word Studies). Just as doves drone on and on in whatever they are doing, this word reflects a simmering discontent that is expressed just loud enough for others to hear, but not as a direct challenge to the one they are discontent with.   Despite that, it is normally known who the discontent is directed towards. In this case, it was “against the housemaster.”   One can imagine what they were saying, “This is poppycock! We were out there all day practically slaving for this guy, and he has paid those guys over there the same as he paid us. What kind of an operation is he running here?”   Life application: In the New Testament, outside of the gospels, the word gogguzó is only seen two times, both are in 1 Corinthians 10 –   “Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain [gogguzó], as some of them also complained [gogguzó], and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Corinthians 10:6-11   The Greek translation of the Old Testament uses this word in Numbers 14 to describe this attitude of the people. The Lord had been faithful to deliver the people from Egypt, a delivery that they had cried out to the Lord for.   Once in the wilderness, He repeatedly showed His faithfulness as He tended to them in their times of need. And yet, they would turn around and grumble against the Lord like a flock of doves, discontent with their situation.   Egypt is given as a type of life under sin. Man is under the authority of the devil. Along with good, his existence is fraught with disease, pain, loss, and eventually death. We cry out to God, “Is this all there is, can’t You give me a better hope than this ultimately pointless existence?” In hearing that, God sends Jesus into our lives.   Maybe we were in a church. Maybe someone handed us a tract. In some manner, we heard of Jesus, and we received what He did, being brought out from under the authority of the devil and given the assurance of eternal life, apart from this fallen world. And yet, like Israel in the wilderness, we need to continue this life until we reach the Promised Land.   Soon, we forget what God did. And so He sends us a tender mercy to help us along our walk. Again, we forget. Someone we love dies, and we strike a bitter heart against God. We lose our job, and we grumble that we have it so bad, saying that God must not care about us at all. We forget that we are on the road to the Promised Land and He has assured us we will arrive.   What happened to that original joy? What is it that says, “It’s not fair! I deserve better!” We have been given the highest assurance of all that you will make it to heaven. And yet, we grumble. Imagine how disappointing we must be to God when we put forth such a despicable attitude.   May we remember the day of our salvation always, never allowing the trials of this life to interfere with our walk at this time. Whatever you are facing, God is right there with you. Hard times will come, loss can be expected, but God is there with you. His promises will never fail, and the outcome is assured. Remember this. God is right there with you.   O God, it is very easy to lose our focus on what lies ahead. We forget where we were and what You did to change our eternal destiny. Instead, we get caught up in the trials that surround us and forget that You are there. Forgive us of our faithlessness. Help us to always remember that You are there with us on the path to glory. Amen.