What does Psalm 95:9 mean?
After leaving Egypt, God miraculously provided Israel with water (Exodus 15:22–26) and food (Exodus 16:2–3, 12–14). And yet, at Rephidim, they complained that they would die of thirst. God provided them with water then but was angered at their lack of faith (Exodus 17:1–7). This hard-hearted refusal to trust the Lord "tested" Him much as a disobedient child causes stress for a parent. It also hinted at an attitude which assumed that by complaining, the people could force God to intervene. When the Devil tempted Jesus to "test" God, Jesus refused and instead cited Scripture (Matthew 4:5–7; Deuteronomy 6:16).The people were obstinate once again when they refused to begin taking the Promised Land (Numbers 14:1–4). So, the Lord kept an entire generation from taking their "rest" in Canaan. Instead, they spent forty years in the wilderness (Psalm 95:10) until their children were ready to obey the Lord (Numbers 14:28–32). In Hebrews, the writer points to these incidents to warn Christian believers (Hebrews 3:7–11, 15; 4:3–7). Rather than fearful or stubborn disobedience, we should trust the Lord and follow His will.
