The golden calf Paul calls to mind another delinquency: “We should not test the Lord, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.” In their impatience the Israelites challenged God and Moses and put God’s patience, power, and faithfulness to the test (Numbers 21). The last example cites the grumbling and complaining of God’s people about Moses’ leadership and God’s dealings with them (Numbers 14 and 16): “And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.” Constant
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