The hearts of the Israelites were hardened because they witnessed God's deeds. It wasn't because they didn't know about God's work or haven't seen His deeds, but they only watched what God did without completely believing in Him and fully dedicating to Him. When Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they saw how Moses parted sea water with his staff and they walked through the sea. When the Egyptian soldiers went after them, Moses raised the staff and sea water came back together. All the Egyptian soldiers submerged in the water and the Israelites were saved. When the Israelites were in the dessert, they saw how God made water come out from rock, and they drank the water. They also saw manna falling from the sky and they were kept alive by collecting manna. When they didn't have meat to eat, God gave them pigeons so that they could be satisfied. When Israelites cross Jordan River, they saw how the priest went into water and the river parted, and they cross the river to enter the promised land. Their eyes saw all kinds of miracles, but they merely watched them.
When I was little, I lived in a two-story house, and kids liked to go to the balcony and look at the people below and comment about them. Many Christians in the church are also "balcony Christians;" they like to watch God's deeds, and also they watch the brothers and sisters around them. Many remain as spectators as their life wastes away. Also, when we watch, we also like to criticize and judge. After Jesus resurrected, two disciples were walking towards Emmaus and they were sad, because they knew that Jesus had died but didn't know that He had already resurrected. Therefore, when the resurrected Lord revealed Himself to them, they could not recognize Him. Jesus asked them why they were so sad, they said ""Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And then they told Jesus everything that happened.
As they were talking to Jesus, they neglected the greatest miracle they'd encounter in their life - The resurrected Lord was right beside them! We often watch God's deeds and talk about what we've seen, but we neglect the most important thing in our life, which is the fact that the resurrected Lord is right beside us. Often times we are only watching God's deeds, thus we cannot enter God's promised land, how pitiful! Are you a Christian who's just a spectator, or are you one who's actively participating in God's work?
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