Nehemiah 9:21
Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not. Yea, forty years didst thou sustain them in the wilderness, so that they lacked nothing; their clothes waxed not old, and their feet swelled not.
Nehemiah 9:21 belongs to Israel's rehearsal of the Lord's works and goodness on behalf of His people, joined to the exposure of their ingratitude and sins in turning away from Him. It affirms that He sustained Israel in the wilderness for forty years without lack, preserving their clothing from wearing out and their feet from swelling. The sustainer was Christ acting as Redeemer, Protector, and wonder-working God, present to lead them enshrouded in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
This manifold mercy continued even while Israel was under divine rebuke for rebellion, and they were not utterly forsaken. That rebellion included the rejection at Kadesh when they dealt proudly, hardened their necks, proved unfaithful to the covenant and made the molten calf, yet He did not forsake them. His continued presence was also shown in that His good Spirit still instructed them, manna and water were still supplied, and the continued tabernacle service testified that He remained with them.
The miracles and provision did not exempt them from the consequences of rebellion because they were unwilling to obey and walk in His will. Their turning separated them from God and led Him to permit them to come under heathen control, showing He would not serve with their sins or accommodate them. The same gracious pattern parallels the Lord's care for Seventh-day Adventists, whom He has not wholly forsaken despite their failure to honor Him and value His favors as they should.