Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

September 2, 1880
The Twelve Spies
The proposition to send men to search the land was first made by the
people. But as it pleased Moses, he presented the matter before the Lord and
obtained his consent for them to go. The result was, disaster and destruction.
Had they waited for the Lord to say "Go forward," and followed the divine
Leader, they would have seen the majesty and glory of God as verily as they
saw it forty years afterward. The Lord often permits men to have their own
way, to teach them that the way he marks out is the only safe path for them
to follow.
All Israel were suffering under the frown of God. He could not work for
them while their hearts were filled with bitter murmurings, for they were in
no fit state to appreciate anything that he would do for them. The
manifestation of his power in their behalf against their enemies would only
fill them with pride and self-importance. They would not sanctify the Lord in
their hearts, and give him the glory. Therefore he mercifully turned their
course backward. They were to be enclosed in the wilderness, and to see
neither city nor town for forty years, until those who were continually
murmuring should die.
When Moses made known to the people the divine decision, their recent
madness and insane rage turned to the most bitter regrets and lamentations.
They knew that this punishment was merited. The ten unfaithful spies had
perished before their eyes, their doom signifying the destruction of all in
their ranks above twenty years of age. Their unbelief and rebellion had cost
them all.
At this time even, had they shown true and sincere repentance, God
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