Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

foolishly cherished the hope that a new order of things was about to
be established in which there would be praise instead of reproof, and
no troubles instead of worry and trials. The men who had died had
spoken flattering words and promised great interest and love for
them, and the people decided that somehow Moses had been the
cause of their destruction.
The Israelites had proposed putting both Moses and Aaron to
death, yet they did not spend that night of probation in repentance
and confession, but in planning some way to resist the evidence that
showed them to be the greatest of sinners. They still cherished
hatred of the men God had appointed, and braced themselves to
resist their authority.
"On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel
complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, 'You have killed the
people of the Lord.'" And they were about to move violently against
their faithful, self-sacrificing leaders.
Moses' Love for Erring Israel
Divine glory appeared in the cloud above the tabernacle and a
voice spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Get away from among this
congregation, that I may consume them in a moment."
Moses lingered in this terrible crisis, showing a true shepherd's
interest for the flock of his care. He pleaded that God might not
completely destroy the people of His choice.
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