דברים, פרק ט׳, פסוק כ״ד

Moses delivers a piercing summary of the historical relationship between God and the Israelites, issuing a comprehensive judgment on their past [רש ר הירש]. He highlights a constant pattern of rebellion and a persistent refusal to follow God from the very beginning of their relationship [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This reminder of continuous defiance, evident in various events throughout their journey in the desert, serves as a prelude to the description of Moses's prayer following the sin of the Golden Calf. The goal is to clearly illustrate the nation's fixed habit of angering God [רלב״ג].

The exact starting point of this rebellious history is viewed from different perspectives. Some trace the defiance back to the complaints the people voiced even before the Torah was given [ביאור יש״ר]. Others push the origin further back to Moses's very first days in Egypt. In his initial attempt to intervene and stop a Hebrew from striking a fellow Israelite, the man's immediate reaction was to inform on Moses [הדר זקנים, בכור שור].

Another perspective emphasizes that even during their deep distress in Egypt, their faith remained inconsistent. Although they initially bowed in acceptance upon hearing the news of their upcoming redemption, they ultimately returned to their rebellious ways against God. This consistent history of defiance is brought up to prove to the Israelites that they cannot rely merely on their own self-confidence. Recognizing this inherent weakness, they must exercise extreme caution to avoid any behavior that might drag them toward idolatry [העמק דבר].