Nevertheless, though we cannot fully understand how such a prominent person stumbled so badly, we must still learn important lessons regarding the severity of machlokes, division, and dissension, and how we can avoid this ruinous sin.
Rabbi Leib Eiger (the son of Rabbi Akiva Eiger) writes that all the occurrences that took place in the Midbar, the occasions on which Klal Yisroel stumbled, were Divinely orchestrated for the sole purpose that future generations should learn crucial Torah lessons. He quotes a Gemara (גיטין מג.) that says אין אדם עומד על דברי תורה אלא אם כן נכשל בהן a person will not fully understand and integrate a Torah principle, only if he stumbles with it.
He explains that only because Klal Yisroel erred on these fundamental matters, were the later generations able to understand their severity. He adds that in fact, it was only this holy generation - who were physically present by Matan Torah - who were able to face such challenges and survive. Indeed, they sinned, but they did not fully capitulate and the generation survived. Any lesser generation would have sinned to a much greater extent, failing spiritually, and falling, thus they would have been entirely annihilated. They would suffer from both a spiritual and physical decline. Therefore, it was specifically this generation that was given the nisayon; they had a ירידה לצורך עליה, a descent for the purpose of rising. They fell for the sake that they, as well as future generations, should be able to rise. (תורת אמת להגה"ק ר' לייב אייגער - קרח)
So, certainly, it is incumbent upon us to delve into these teachings and learn what the nature of machlokes is, how we can attempt to avoid it, and its terrible repercussions.