Faithless as they are, the Israelites do not see through the contradictions but accept the faithless majority report. The next day, they are considering replacing Moses and Aaron with a leader who will take them back to Egypt. Joshua and Caleb make a final, passionate appeal, but the people respond by saying they should be stoned (14:1–10). Thus the people condemn themselves and seal their fate.

The Lord wants to exterminate the Israelites and make Moses a great nation instead. Moses intercedes, as he has earlier, after the golden calf episode (14:11–19; cf. Exod. 32:9–13). He appeals to God’s need to maintain his reputation in the world by fulfilling his promise to bring his people into their land. Moses also appeals to the Lord’s gracious character by citing his self-proclaimed slownes…