Unhappily, though, they did not always appreciate their privilege of being worshipers of the one true God. Eventually, the Israelites as a whole became unfaithful, and in 607 B.C.E., Jehovah allowed them to be carried off as captives to Babylon. As God had said to Moses, because of His very goodness “by no means will he give exemption from punishment.”​—Exodus 34:7.

Finally, we should not presume on God’s goodness. True, Jehovah forgives sinners. King David was confident of a favorable answer when he prayed: “The sins of my youth and my revolts O do not remember. According to your loving-kindness do you yourself remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Jehovah.” (Psalm 25:7) Does that mean that we can allow ourselves to commit sins in the confident expectation of God’s forgiveness? By no means. Remember, God’s goodness means that “by no means will he give exemption from punishment” to unrepentant sinners.