Very few realize the sinfulness of sin; they flatter themselves that God is too good to punish the offender. But the cases of Miriam, Aaron, David, and many others show that it is not a safe thing to sin against God in deed, in word, or even in thought. God is a being of infinite love and compassion, but He also declares Himself to be a “consuming fire, even a jealous God” (The Review and Herald, August 14, 1900).{3BC 1166.2}

Meget få indser syndens syndighed; de bilder sig selv ind at Gud er for god til at straffe overtræderen. Men Miriams, Arons, David og mange andres tilfælde viser at det ikke sikkert at synde imod Gud, i handling, i ord eller endog i tanke. Gud er et uendeligt kærligt og medfølende væsen, men Han erklærer også selv at være som en "fortærende ild, endog en nidkær Gud". (RH 14 aug., 1900).