Those who know God as their Father may recognize that the way He dealt with the nation of Israel in the Old Testament is the same way He deals with us as His adopted spiritual children. In a bond of love, He directs us in the right way to go. He then walks along with us for the rest of our lives, disciplining us toward becoming everything we were meant to be as we enjoy His companionship. If we resist His direction, we find ourselves isolated, experiencing the stress of loneliness. When we come to our senses, we return and confess. He always forgives us and resumes His discipline. The Old Testament story of God and Israel is like a parable of how a perfect parent raises a child. It is a story for you and me, the children of God.