In the years of wandering God had mercy on His people and blessed them, even though they were fleshly and full of unbelief. God’s mercy extends farther than His grace (see note 1 Tim. 1:13^3b, note 2 Tim. 1:2^1b, note Titus 3:5^2c, and note Heb. 4:16^2b). When God’s grace extends so far that it reaches us where we are, it becomes mercy. Since His mercy has reached us and since we are now under His mercy, God can bless us.

See Num. 13:33 and note Num. 13:33^1a.

A race of giants (Deut. 3:11).

The purpose of the thirty-eight years of wandering was to consume man’s flesh and unbelief, to consume all the unbelieving ones, and to manifest God’s mercy and blessing (v. 7). Those years were also used by God to produce a new generation for the fulfilling of God’s purpose.

See note Num. 21:1².

Lit., him.

Cf. note Exo. 9:12^1a.

Lit., devoted (in this case, unto destruction). So also throughout this book.