The removal of their beloved leader would be a far stronger rebuke to Israel than any which they could have received had his life and mission been continued. God would lead them to feel that they were not to make the life of their future leader as trying as they had made that of Moses. God speaks to His people in blessings bestowed; and when these are not appreciated, He speaks to them in blessings removed, that they may be led to see their sins, and return to Him with all the heart.

Israel kunne ikke have fået en hårdere straf, hvis Moses var blevet ved at leve og havde fortsat sit arbejde, end de fik, da de mistede deres elskede leder. Gud ville have dem til at forstå, at de ikke måtte lægge lige så store hindringer i vejen for deres vordende leder som for Moses. Gud taler til sit folk gennem sine velsignelser, og hvis de ikke påskønner disse, taler han til dem ved at tage dem tilbage for at få dem til at indse deres synd og omvende sig til ham af hele deres hjerte.