The people rebel and are punished

The Israelites rebel against Moses

1After the Israelites heard the report from the twelve men who had explored Canaan, the people cried all night 2and complained to Moses and Aaron, “We wish we had died in Egypt or somewhere out here in the desert! 3Is the LORD leading us into Canaan, just to have us killed and our women and children captured? We'd be better off in Egypt.” 4Then they said to one another, “Let's choose our own leader and go back.”

5Moses and Aaron bowed down to pray in front of the crowd. 6Joshua and Caleb tore their clothes in sorrow 7and said:

We saw the land ourselves, and it's very good. 8If we obey the LORD, he will surely give us that land rich with milk and honey. 9So don't rebel. We have no reason to be afraid of the people who live there. The LORD is on our side, and they won't stand a chance against us!14.9: He 3.16.

10The crowd threatened to stone Moses and Aaron to death. But just then, the LORD appeared in a cloud at the sacred tent.

Moses prays for the people

11The LORD said to Moses, “I have done great things for these people, and they still reject me by refusing to believe in my power. 12So they will no longer be my people. I will destroy them, but I will make you the ancestor of a nation even stronger than theirs.”

13-16Moses replied:14.13-19: Ex 32.11-14.

With your mighty power you rescued your people from Egypt, so please don't destroy us here in the desert. If you do, the Egyptians will hear about it and tell the people of Canaan. Those Canaanites already know that we are your people, and that we see you face to face. And they have heard how you lead us with a thick cloud during the day and flaming fire at night. But if you kill us, they will claim it was because you weren't powerful enough to lead us into Canaan as you promised.

17Show us your great power, LORD. You promised 18that you love to show mercy and kindness. And you said that you are very patient, but that you will punish everyone guilty of doing wrong—not only them but their children and grandchildren as well.14.18: Ex 20.5,6; 34.6,7; Dt 5.9,10; 7.9,10.

19You are merciful, and you treat people better than they deserve. So please forgive these people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.

20Then the LORD said to Moses:

In answer to your prayer, I do forgive them. 21But as surely as I live and my power has no limit,14.21-23: He 3.18. 22-23I swear that not one of these Israelites will enter the land I promised to give their ancestors. These people have seen my power in Egypt and in the desert, but they will never see Canaan. They have disobeyed and tested me too many times.

24But my servant Caleb isn't like the others. So because he has faith in me, I will allow him to cross into Canaan, and his descendants will settle there.14.24: Js 14.9-12.

25Now listen, Moses! The Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys of Canaan.14.25 The Amalekites and the Canaanites…valleys of Canaan: That is, all possible ways into Canaan were blocked. And tomorrow morning, you'll need to turn round and head back into the desert towards the Red Sea.14.25 Red Sea: Hebrew yam suph, here referring to the Gulf of Aqaba, since the term is extended to include the north-eastern arm of the Red Sea (see also the note at Exodus 13.18).

The Israelites are punished for complaining

26The LORD told Moses and Aaron 27-28to give this message to the people of Israel:

You sinful people have complained against me too many times! Now I swear by my own life that I will give you exactly what you wanted.14.27,28 wanted: See verse 2. 29You will die here in the desert, and your dead bodies will cover the ground. You have insulted me, and none of you men who are over twenty years old14.29: He 3.17. 30will enter the land that I solemnly promised to give you as your own—only Caleb and Joshua14.30 Caleb and Joshua: Hebrew “Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun”. will go in.

31You were worried that your own children would be captured. But I, the LORD, will let them enter the land you have rejected. 32You will die here in the desert! 33Your children will wander around in this desert forty years, suffering because of your sins, until all of you are dead.14.33: Ac 7.36. 34I will cruelly punish you every day for the next forty years—one year for each day that the land was explored. 35You sinful people who ganged up against me will die here in the desert.

36Ten of the men sent to explore the land had brought back bad news and had made the people complain against the LORD. 37So he sent a deadly disease that killed those men, 38but he let Joshua and Caleb live.

The Israelites fail to enter Canaan

(Deuteronomy 1.41-45)

39The people of Israel were very sad after Moses gave them the LORD's message. 40So they got up early the next morning and got ready to head towards the hill country of Canaan. They said, “We were wrong to complain about the LORD. Let's go into the land that he promised us.”

41But Moses replied, “You're disobeying the LORD! Your plan won't work, 42-43so don't even try it. The LORD refuses to help you, because you turned your backs on him. The Amalekites and the Canaanites are your enemies, and they will attack and defeat you.”

44But the Israelites ignored Moses14.44 ignored Moses: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. and marched towards the hill country, even though the sacred chest and Moses did not go with them. 45The Amalekites and the Canaanites came down from the hill country, defeated the Israelites, and chased them as far as the town of Hormah.