Unbelief Produces God’s Wrath
Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob;
his anger rose against Israel,
because they did not believe in God
and did not trust his saving power.
In spite of all this, they still sinned;
despite his wonders, they did not believe.
Their heart was not steadfast toward him;
they were not faithful to his covenant.
Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God
and did not keep his testimonies,
It is obvious by these statements that the nation of Israel struggled to believe and obey God. Despite everything God did for them, showed them, intervened for them on their behalf, they did not believe. What they failed to see was that the wrath of God was stirred by their unbelief. God is a God of love. That is no doubt. But, when we refuse His love and refuse to follow Him in heart felt obedience, there remains nothing more than His wrath. God provides for us to demonstrate that love. God gives to show His love. Yet, when we refuse to believe and obey, we are no longer in a place of blessing and open our lives up to His wrath. It is true that those who are believers no longer will have condemnation (Romans 8:1). But, that promise is for those who walk in faithful obedience toward Him. Note what the writer of Hebrews said about this nation:
For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
There is no rest for those who walk in disobedience toward Him ... only wrath.
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