Ob and In:
1. God was offended when we sinned/complaint about Him.
27 “How long must I bear with this evil congregation that murmurs against me? I have heard the complaints of the Israelites that they murmured against me.
He was very clear what the Israelites said and therefore gave them what they wished for (v.2, 28, 35). What they said about their children would not come true. Instead, God would spared them, just to show them that they were wrong v.31.
(EBC) The rash words of the people asking to die in the desert become in a sense the judgment of the Lord. They have brought on themselves their punishment.
there is one thing that God simply will not tolerate, the accusation that he had brought the people into the desert with the intent that he might thereby destroy their children, that they would die in the desert or be taken as plunder by victorious enemies...the children, whom the people made such a false charge against the Lord concerning their safety, would be the only ones who actually would come to enjoy the land (v.31)
Reflection: What did I say everyday that made God angry and feel offended? What rash words became true in our life (do not want to have children?)
Did I not trust that God would take care of the children even when Israelites needed to fight against the giants?
2. Their complaint came from a mistrust of God's promise v.30
30 You will by no means enter into the land where I swore to settle you. The only exceptions are Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
I swore=(NET) The Hebrew text uses the anthropomorphic expression “I raised my hand” in taking an oath.
How dare were the Israelites who did not believe in what God had swore to give them. When they faced the giants they did not think God did not deserve their trust any more.
Reflection: Which God's promise I did not trust? What complaint that I have towards God that showed that I did not trust Him?
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