Israel’s Rebellion and Wilderness Wanderings
After the report of the unbelieving spies, poor, weary, travel-worn, Egypt-longing Israel rebelled, and determined to reject Moses and God and to turn back to Egypt. So rebellious were they that they sought to stone Joshua and Caleb for their brave, faithful words, and were only prevented by the manifestation of God's glory. As a result of their rebellion they were turned back in the wilderness to wander thirty-eight years more. Too late they repented their folly. The eleven days' journey from Sinai to the Promised Land unbelief extended to nearly forty years. The sin of Sabbath-breaking in chapter 15 was not ordinary; it was presumptuous sin. Chapter 16 records the awful rebellion under Korah. Then follow various laws and striking incidents, like Miriam's death, Edom's ungenerous actions, the death of Aaron, the fiery serpents and the remedy of faith, with various journeys and two wars.