Moses was the meekest man that lived; yet, because of the murmurings of the children of Israel, he was repeatedly compelled to bring up their course of sin after leaving Egypt and to vindicate his course as their leader. Just before leaving Israel, when he was about to die, he rehearsed before them their course of rebellion and murmuring since they had left Egypt, and how his interest and love for them had led him to plead with God in their behalf. He related to them how he had earnestly entreated of the Lord to let him pass over Jordan into the Promised Land; “but the Lord was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me.” Moses presented before them their sins, and said to them: “Ye have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I knew you.” He related to them how many times he had pleaded with God and humbled his soul in anguish because of their sins. {3T 319.2}

Moses var den mest sagtmodige mand der har levet; alligevel var han gentagende gange, på grund af Israels børns knurren, tvunget til at disciplinere deres opførsel efter at de havde forladt Ægypten og hævde sin kurs som deres leder. Lige før han forlod Israel, da han var ved at dø, fortalte han dem om deres oprørskhed og knurren siden de forlod Ægypten og hvordan hans interesse og kærlighed for dem havde fået ham til at gå i forbøn for Gud for deres bedste. Han fortalte dem hvordan han alvorligt havde anmodet Herren om at lade ham gå over Jordan ind i det Forjættede Land; »men Herren var vred på mig for eders skyld og hørte mig ikke.« Moses viste dem deres synder og sagde til dem: »I har været genstridige mod Herren, så længe jeg har kendt eder.« Han fortalte dem hvor mange ting han havde gået i forbøn med Gud for og ydmyget sin sjæl i pine på grund af deres synder.