Hebrews 12 says, ‘No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.’ The Israelites no doubt felt that God’s discipline following the golden calf incident was quite harsh, just as we do when facing discipline for our sin. But in His mercy, God always disciplines us for His greater glory, our greater good, and the greater proclamation of His grace through the Savior, Jesus Christ.