Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

The Canaanites had heard of the mysterious power that seemed
to be guarding this people, and they now gathered a strong force to
repel the invaders. The attacking army had no leader. No prayer was
offered that God would give them the victory. Though untrained in
war, they hoped by a fierce assault to crush all opposition. Boldly
they challenged the enemy that had not dared to attack them.
The Canaanites had stationed themselves on a rocky plateau
reached only by a steep and dangerous climb. The immense
numbers of the Hebrews could only make their defeat more terrible.
Massive rocks came thundering down, marking their path with the
blood of the slain. Those who reached the summit, exhausted with
their climb, were fiercely rebuffed and driven back with great loss.
The army of Israel was utterly defeated.
The enemies of Israel, who had awaited with trembling the
approach of that mighty host, were inspired with confidence to resist
them. All the reports they had heard concerning the marvelous
things that God had done for His people, they now considered to be
false; there was no cause for fear. By inspiring the Canaanites with
courage and resolve, that first defeat of Israel had made the conquest
much more difficult.
Israel had not choice but to fall back from the face of their
victorious foes, into the wilderness, knowing that there a whole
generation must die.
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