“Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” (Hebrews 4:11).
The things written in the Old Testament are there for our instruction (1 Corinthians 10:11), so that we can become wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). Good examples provide us with a flesh-and-blood portrait of what pleases God; these we should imitate. Bad examples provide us with real life choices of what displeases God; to be wise, these must be avoided.
The failure of God’s people to conquer the Promised Land was a dark and enduring stain in Israel’s history. There is much to learn from this tragic example of unbelief and disobedience which resulted in God’s people falling short of His rest.
There is as much danger of such occurring in our generation as it was in Moses’ day thirty-five centuries ago. Apostasy with its horrific consequences will continue to repeat itself if we do not learn wisdom from bad examples.
