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

commandment of the Lord? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the Lord
is not among you, that ye be not smitten before your enemies; for the
Amalekites and Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the
sword."
During the time consumed by the Israelites in their wicked
insubordination, the inhabitants of the land had become alarmed, and had
prepared for battle. Having heard so much in regard to the wonderful works
of God for his people Israel, they made most thorough preparations to defend
their cities.
As Israel presumed to disregard the voice of God and man, they had no
leader, but rushed impetuously away from the warning voice of Moses. On
they pushed in confusion. No prayer was offered now that God would give
them the victory, for he had expressly forbidden them to go up. Their
numbers were immense, and they determined to make a fierce attack upon
the very men whom they had refused to meet, with Moses as leader, and God
as their defense. Hatred against the Lord and his pronounced judgments
burned in the hearts of these men of war.
But their might of numbers was of no advantage, for their foe was
reached only through rocky passages. The Israelites were wearied with their
furious march, while their enemies were fresh, and had chosen high ground
from which they hurled rocks down upon the supposed invaders. In their
desperation they made many efforts, but could accomplish nothing, and after
many of them were slain, the remainder turned and fled. Moses thus
describes their defeat: "And the Amorites which dwelt in that mountain,
came out against you and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir,
even unto Hormah, and ye returned and wept before the Lord; but the Lord
would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you." This last defiant act
had sealed their fate. This shows us that there is danger of our presuming
upon the mercy of God until mercy is turned to retributive justice. There is a
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