נחמיה, פרק ט׳, פסוק י״ז

A sharp contrast emerges between human ingratitude and God's infinite mercy during the nation's journey. The Israelites outright refused and rejected God's instructions [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This refusal points directly to the crisis of the spies, where the people lost the will to enter and inherit the Promised Land, completely ignoring the encouraging pleas of Joshua and Caleb [רלב״ג]. In their panic, the nation forgot the massive miracles God had already performed for them. These past wonders should have established an absolute trust in His ability to conquer the nations of Canaan [רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Driven by this lack of faith, the Israelites became deeply stubborn. They reached a devastating low point by openly declaring their intention to appoint a new leader [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. Their ultimate goal was to abandon their journey and return to Egypt, actively choosing a life of harsh slavery and bondage over stepping into the Promised Land [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This intense desire to turn back was rooted in a deep-seated rebelliousness and ingratitude that had become ingrained within them [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Despite these severe sins and constant provocations, God responded with profound forgiveness and mercy. He chose to overlook their betrayal and refused to abandon them [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Rather than punishing the nation with immediate death, God held back His anger. He allowed them to live for forty years in the wilderness, sparing them from an early end, and used this extended period to draw the people closer to His service. Ultimately, this remarkable divine protection and forgiveness were granted because of the enduring covenant God had made with the forefathers [רלב״ג].