But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness. This command they disregarded; and determined, in spite of the earnest remonstrances of Moses, to force an onward passage. They attempted to cross the heights then occupied by the combined forces of the Amorites and Amalekites (cf. Numbers 14:43), but were repulsed with great loss. People often experience distress even while in the way of duty. But how different their condition who suffer in situations where God is with them, from the feelings of those who are conscious that they are in a position directly opposed to the divine will. The Israelites were grieved when they found themselves involved in difficulties and perils; but their sorrow arose not from a sense of the guilt so much as the sad effects of their perverse conduct; and since, though they "wept," they were not true penitents, the Lord would not listen to their voice, nor give ear unto them.