We sin on our terms. We must repent according to God’s standard. The Israelites had failed to believe God when He commanded them to enter the Promised Land. As a result, God announced their punishment. Realizing their horrific error, the Israelites declared that they would, after all, do what God had instructed them. But it was too late. God had spoken. He had decreed their fate. God would demonstrate to all of history what happens when people refuse to trust and obey Him.
Rather than submitting to God’s new word, the Israelites disobeyed once again. They attempted to enter the Promised Land after God had told them not to. This was delayed obedience at its worst and it led to failure. God will not allow people to dictate terms to Him. We do not set the schedule for our obedience. We do not determine which day we will obey God and which ones we will not.
Perhaps most troubling: just because we are sorry for our sin, it does not mean we will now avoid its consequences. Even when God forgives our sin, there will be consequences. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God’s people must take His instruction seriously. The consequences are serious.