Why did Israel not enter the rest of God and the promised land?
Israel did not enter God's rest or the promised land because of their lack of faith and unbelief. Hebrews 3 indicates they could have had the very rest of God and the land of promise, but they turned away from it.
Les explains that Israel's failure is summed up in Hebrews 3: the rest of God and the land of promise were available to them, but they did not enter because of their lack of faith and unbelief. He emphasizes that they turned away from what God had set before them. This same principle is stated absolutely: without faith we cannot please Him. The context also stresses that there is no approach to God except by the blood-sprinkled way, but Israel's unbelief was the reason they missed the rest and the promised land.
More Questions
Why didn't the Israelites enter the Promised Land?
The Exodus generation did not enter the Promised Land and God was provoked with them because of their unbelief.