Who was Moses addressing in Numbers 15? Who was left after the Israelites were attacked by the Amalekites and Canaanites in Numbers 14?

In Ch.14, v.39-40 the bible says "all of the people of Israel mourned and then rose up the next morning to go into the land of milk and honey." If they all died in battle, who's left for Moses to address? Is Moses (at the beginning of Ch.15) just addressing just the women and children of the men of battle, and Joseph and Caleb along with their descendants? Israel is getting smaller and smaller (even another 14,700 plus were dead after the rebel of Korah, Dathan, & Abiram, Ch.16, v.49), but no matter how many Israelites die, there's always still enough of them left for God to have Moses address them and continue writing new sacrificial laws for them to follow. How is this possible when so many are dying? Who's left? Who is Moses addressing?

Numbers 15:1 - 21

ESV - ¹ The Lord spoke to Moses, saying. ² Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land you are to inhabit, which I am giving you.

Clarify • Share • Report • Asked July 12 2014 • Anonymous