The Israelites Respond in Unbelief

14:1 1 Then all the community raised a loud cry,2 and the people wept3 that night. 14:2 And all the Israelites murmured4 against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died5 in the land of Egypt, or if only we had perished6 in this wilderness! 14:3 Why has the Lord brought us into this land only to be killed by the sword, that our wives and our children should become plunder? Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 14:4 So they said to one another,7 “Let’s appoint8 a leader9 and return10 to Egypt.”

14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell down with their faces to the ground11 before the whole assembled community12 of the Israelites. 14:6 And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, two of those who had investigated the land, tore their garments. 14:7 They said to the whole community of the Israelites, “The land we passed through to investigate is an exceedingly13 good land. 14:8 If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us—a land that is flowing with milk and honey.14 14:9 Only do not rebel against the Lord, and do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us.15 Their protection16 has turned aside from them, but the Lord is with us. Do not fear them!”

14:10 However, the whole community threatened to stone them.17 But18 the glory19 of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the tent20 of meeting.