Slighted Mercy The Hebrews had an opportunity to reflect upon the scene that they had witnessed in the visitation of God’s wrath upon the most prominent ones in this great rebellion. The goodness and mercy of God were displayed in not completely exterminating this ungrateful people when His wrath was kindled against the most responsible ones. He gave the congregation who had permitted themselves to be deceived, space for repentance. The fact that the Lord, their invisible Leader, showed so much long-suffering and mercy in this instance is distinctly recorded as evidence of His willingness to forgive the most grievous offenders when they have a sense of their sin and return unto Him with repentance and humiliation. The congregation had been arrested in their presumptuous course by the display of the Lord’s vengeance; but they were not convinced that they were great sinners against Him, deserving His wrath for their rebellious course. {3T 355.1}

Ringeagtet barmhjertighed
Hebræerne havde en anledning til at tænke tilbage på det drama de havde været vidne til i hjemsøgelsen af Guds vrede på de mest fremtrædende i dette store oprør. Guds godhed og barmhjertighed blev ikke vist ved at udrydde dette utaknemmelige folk helt skønt hans vrede var optændt mod de mest ansvarlige. Han gav menigheden, som havde ladet sig selv bedrage, rum for anger. Den Kendsgerning at Herren, deres usynlige Leder, viste så meget langmodighed og barmhjertighed i dette tilfælde er nøjagtigt optegnet som bevis for hans villighed til at tilgive de forfærdelige lovovertrædere når de har en fornemmelse af deres synd og vender sig til ham i anger og ydmyghed. Menigheden er blevet standset i deres anmassende opførsel af Herrens hævnagtige udfoldelse; men de var ikke overbeviste om at de var store syndere imod ham og fortjente hans vrede for deres oprørske opførsel.