Before God permitted them to enter Canaan, they must show that they believed His promise. The water ceased before they had reached Edom. Here was an opportunity for them, for a little time, to walk by faith instead of sight. But the first trial developed the same turbulent, unthankful spirit that had been manifested by their fathers. No sooner was the cry for water heard in the encampment than they forgot the hand that had for so many years supplied their wants, and instead of turning to God for help, they murmured against Him, in their desperation exclaiming, "Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord!" (Numbers 20:1-13); that is, they wished they had been of the number who were destroyed in the rebellion of Korah.

Inden Gud lod dem gå ind i Kanaan, skulle de vise, at de troede på hans løfte. Vandet hørte op, før de nåede Edom. Her fik de i ganske kort tid lejlighed til at vandre i tro i stedet for i beskuelse. Men den første prøve vakte den samme oprørske og utaknemmelige ånd til live, som deres forfædre havde lagt for dagen. Ikke så snart hørtes råbet om vand i lejren, før de glemte den hånd, der i så mange år havde stillet deres behov. I stedet for at henvende sig til Gud om hjælp knurrede de imod ham og udbrød i deres fortvivlelse: "Gid vi var omkommet, dengang vore brødre omkom for Herrens åsyn!" (4. Mos. 20, 1-13.) De ønskede altså, at de havde været blandt dem, der blev tilintetgjort ved Koras oprør.