Through idolatry and immorality they provoked God to send a plague among them. Yet He raised one among them who would intercede on their behalf and He heard his pleas. The testing at the waters of Meribah is a challenge in trust and confidence. The occasion is thirst and faced with these trials Israel became impatient and complained. Their lack of faith caused many troubles for their leaders who doubted in the Word of God.
Disobedience is the result of carelessness and often mere stubbornness.
The soul knows that it must keep far from the evildoers. It realizes that it is weak and so must choose its friends. During formation the soul must learn how to flee from the contentious person. The occasion for sin in this matter is the influence others have on the soul. The Lord in His great love chose various instruments to correct these faults in the soul.