Was God ready to destroy the Israelites? The people long ago thought so, but today we would probably say that they were interpreting their experience according to their own mentality and worldview. God does not treat us in such a manner. This story sounds all too human, and does not reflect God's nature. But it is interesting that the people turned so quickly to idolatry and sin after God saved them. They did not truly know God, for they wanted something they could touch - a statue or idol. In a similar way, Paul sinned greatly against the Christian community out of misguided zeal and ignorance. He did not truly know the Lord. God did not punish him; he filled him instead with the grace of faith. We often do the wrong things out of ignorance. And we often turn to other things to satisfy us rather than to God. If we truly knew God, we would not engage in hatred, violence, dishonesty, and unkindness, nor would we be unfaithful. But God does not give up on us. He will go to great length to seek us out and bring us home, as the stories in Luke tell us. The one stray sheep is even more important than the other 99, and God will stop at nothing to rescue it. The one lost coin is more important than the others, and the woman will not stop until she finds it. There is great joy when the flock or the coins are undivided and complete. And there is only joy on the part of the Father at the return of the Prodigal Son.