Ancient Israel was repeatedly tested and found wanting. Few receive the faithful warnings given them of God. Darkness and unbelief do not decrease as we near the time of the second advent of Christ. Truth becomes less and less palatable to the carnally minded; their hearts are slow to believe and tardy to repent. The servants of God might well become discouraged, were it not for the continual evidences their Master gives them of His wisdom and assistance. Long has the Lord borne with His people. He has forgiven their wanderings and waited for them to give Him room in their hearts; but false ideas, jealousy, and distrust have crowded Him out. {4T 155.1}

Det gamle Israel blev gentagne gange vejet og fundet for lette. Få modtager de redelige advarsler de får fra Gud. Mørke og vantro bliver ikke mindre, idet vi nærmer os tiden for Kristi genkomst. Sandhed bliver mindre og mindre velsmagende for kødeligsindede; deres hjerter er træge til at tro og angrer for sent. Guds tjenere kunne godt miste modet, hvis det ikke var for de stadige beviser deres Mester giver dem i hans visdom og hjælp. Længe har Herren båret over med hans folk. Han har tilgivet deres flygtighed og ventet på at de giver ham plads i deres hjerter; men falske tanker, skinsyge og mistillid har presset ham ud.