14.Why was God grieved with Israel?

Because God delivered and nourished them by miracle after miracle; yet, they would not allow themselves to believe that God could or would help them. They howled and complained at each new trial.

The Israelis were perverse and always went astray in their hearts. They refused to trust God for food although manna came down every day for forty years.

They refused to trust God for water, although on at least two occasions God brought forth water from a rock. But—worst of all—they would not press toward the land of promise. They refused to reason that if God smote Egypt, if God parted the Red Sea, God would help them against the Canaanites.

The Israelis refused to learn from the examples God gave them, choosing rather to murmur, complain, find fault with God, disbelieve God. They chose to be frightened rather than to have faith in God.

Those who are timid and fearful will not be allowed to enter the new Jerusalem. Faith and fear cannot dwell in our hearts at the same time.