Thus they manifested their disrespect for God and for the leaders He had appointed to conduct them. They did not ask the Lord what they should do, but said: “Let us make a captain.” They took matters into their own hands, feeling themselves competent to manage their affairs without divine aid. They not only accused Moses of deception, but God also, in promising them a land which they were not able to possess. They actually went so far as to appoint one of their number as a captain to lead them back to the land of their suffering and bondage, from which God had delivered them with His strong arm of omnipotence. {4T 150.3}

Derved tilkendegav de deres respektløshed over for Gud og for de ledere han havde udpeget til dem. De spurgte ikke Herren hvad de skulle gøre, men sagde: »Lad os vælge os en fører!« De tog tingene i deres egne hænder, følte at de selv var kompetente til at lede deres sager uden guddommelig hjælp. De anklagede ikke blot Moses for bedrageriskhed, men også Gud, ved at love dem et land som de ikke kunne eje. De gik faktisk så langt som at udpege een blandt dem, til fører og lede dem tilbage til deres lidelsers og trældomsågs land, hvorfra Gud havde udfriet dem med sin stærke almægtige arm.