Numbers 14

This chapter is a sobering reminder that while we have to choose to be repentant, He chooses our restitution. The people of Israel coming to a revelation of sinfulness, that they should not have resisted Moses' rule, should not have lost their faith in God in sight of the obstacles to enter the promised land, should not have given themselves to the poor leadership of the 10 who despaired after having spyed out the land. Their repentant hearts saved them from in immediate death, but God in His sovereignty sets the price of restitution and for them, since rebellion had characterized them in their journey thus far, they were to die in the wilderness. I would rather die in the wilderness a repentant man, keeping my assurance of heaven than revel in rebellion in the promised land only to spend an eternity apart from Him!