As they continued their journey toward the south, their route lay through a hot, sandy valley, destitute of shade or vegetation. The way seemed long and difficult, and they suffered from weariness and thirst. Again they failed to endure the test of their faith and patience. By continually dwelling on the dark side of their experiences, they separated themselves farther and farther from God. They lost sight of the fact that but for their murmuring when the water ceased at Kadesh, they would have been spared the journey around Edom. God had purposed better things for them. Their hearts should have been filled with gratitude to Him that He had punished their sin so lightly. But instead of this, they flattered themselves that if God and Moses had not interfered, they might now have been in possession of the Promised Land. After bringing trouble upon themselves, making their lot altogether harder than God designed, they charged all their misfortunes upon Him. Thus they cherished bitter thoughts concerning His dealings with them, and finally they became discontented with everything. Egypt looked brighter and more desirable than liberty and the land to which God was leading them.

Rejsen sydpå gik gennem en brændende varm dal, hvor der hverken var skygge eller plantevækst. Vejen forekom dem både lang og besværlig, og de var trætte og tørstige. Heller ikke denne gang bestod deres tro og tålmodighed prøven. De kom længere og længere bort fra Gud ved til stadighed at se på den mørke side af deres erfaringer. De glemte, at de kunne havde undgået rejsen uden om Edom, hvis de havde ladet være med at knurre, da vandet holdt op med at flyde i Kadesj. Gud havde noget bedre i vente til dem. De burde have været fyldt med taknemmelighed til ham, fordi han straffede deres synd så mildt, men i stedet for smigrede de sig med, at de allerede kunne have været i besiddelse af det forjættede land, hvis Gud og Moses ikke havde grebet ind. Først skabte de vanskeligheder for sig selv og gjorde deres tilværelse sværere, end Gud havde villet det, og bagefter gav de ham skylden for al deres ulykke. De tænkte med bitterhed på den måde, han ledede dem på, og til sidst var de utilfredse med alt. Ægypten forekom dem mere attråværdig end friheden og det land, som Gud ledede dem til.