But few realize the sinfulness of sin; they flatter themselves that God is too good to punish the offender. The cases of Moses and Aaron, of David, and numerous others, show that it is not a safe thing to sin in word or thought or deed. God is a Being of infinite love and compassion. In the parting address which Moses gave to the children of Israel he said: “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” The touching plea made by Moses that he might be privileged to enter Canaan was steadfastly refused. The transgression at Kadesh had been open and marked; and the more exalted the position of the offender, the more distinguished the man, the firmer was the decree and the more certain the punishment. {4T 370.1}

Men få erkender syndens syndighed; de bilder sig selv ind at Gud er for god til at straffe overtræderen. Moses og Arons eksempel og Davids og utallige andre eksempler, viser at det ikke er en sikker ting at synde i ord, tanke eller handling. Gud er et væsen af uendelig kærlighed og medlidenhed. I Moses' afskedstale til Israels børn sagde han: »Thi Herren din Gud er en fortærende ild, en nidkær Gud!« Den betagende bøn Moses gjorde, for at få lov (371) til at komme ind i Kanaan blev afvist på det stærkeste. Overtrædelsen i Kadesh var åben og mærkbar; og jo højere stilling forbryderen var fra, jo større skel mellem mennesker, des fastere var bestemmelsen og jo mere vis var straffen.