10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’
The quotation from Psalm 95 concludes with the next two verses.
10 Therefore
The “therefore” here shows the result of Israel’s testing.
I was angry [displeased] with that generation,
“Angry” here is not emotional but God’s objective divine judgment upon Israel. He was strongly displeased with the Israelite generation.
And said,
‘They always go astray in their heart,
The Exodus generation constantly went astray during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. “Go astray” means to be led astray from a standard. The Israelites were fundamentally led astray in their “heart” (personhood) from God’s will.
The word “always” shows the habitual nature of Israel’s wayward proclivities.
And they have not known My ways.’
The believers of the wilderness generation did not know how to apply God’s Word to their hearts. The word “known” is to know by experience. They did not experience the reality of knowing how to live out God’s way of life; they were unbelieving in their approach to God.
For 40 years God demonstrated His grace to Israel. He revealed Himself through many means. Nevertheless, after showing Himself in numerous ways, Israel did not come to grips with who God was or what He did for them.
A way is the place wherein one walks. God’s paths for people are clearly revealed. They are not abstruse or mysterious (Is 55:9).
PRINCIPLE:
The heart of most problems is a problem of the heart.
APPLICATION:
Failure to acquire principles of God’s Word and ways always causes spiritual failure in the Christian way of life.
Failure to grow in grace is a serious problem among God’s people today. If our hearts wander from God or His Word, then that will produce a progressive hardness of heart toward God. Although Israel saw many works and revelations of God, they constantly overlooked them and turned to their own devices to resolve their problems.
One of their thoughts was to return to Egypt. Imagine that! Egypt with its abject slavery! They would rather place their security in the slavery of Egypt than in the adventure God placed before them. Christians today would rather have the security of the sin than trust God for the future.
