The word “provocation” (verse 7) has reference to the mindset and behavior of the ancient Israelites following their liberation from Egyptian bondage. The Lord commanded that they should prepare themselves to meet Him, but they were fearful and demurred, preferring to stand behind Moses: “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:18–21). But the people would not fully turn to the Lord in righteousness, for their hearts were hardened. Therefore, His anger was provoked, and He withdrew the higher priesthood blessings from Israel and instituted a lesser program of rites and ceremonies to shape their devotion toward the Savior. Paul refers to this event in calling his associates to repentance: “Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness” (Hebrews 3:8; compare Hebrews 3:15; compare also Numbers 13:11; Psalm 95:8; Alma 12:36). Jacob, too, invokes the lessons of history in guiding his people to a better way of life in keeping with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.