Midway through the chapter Moses describes the time when the spies that Israel had sent to scope out the Promised Land returned with news of the people who currently occupied the land. Ten of the twelve spies said the challenges were too much to overcome (exact words were, "The people are stronger and taller than we are and the cities are large and fortified up to heaven.") but the remaining two said, "It is a good land that the Lord our God is giving us."
The people of Israel chose the advice of the ten over the two. It was a mistake they would quickly regret. God responded to their lack of obedience and their complaining with the following words, "I said to you, have no dread or fear of the people for I would go before you and I would fight for you, just as I did in Egypt. I carried you like a child through the desert but despite my promises and demonstration of power you exhibited no trust in the Lord." God then said that none of the people of Israel except the two spies who remained faithful would be allowed to enter the Land of Plenty.
Guess who suddenly got brave? Faced with no other options and the realization that God had left them, the people of Israel put on their battle gear, grabbed their weapons and pleaded with God to forgive them. God said to them, "Don't go out and fight for I am not with you. You will be defeated due to your rebellion and failure to listen to my promises." The nation of Israel once again chose to ignore God's words and entered the land to fight the Amorites. The Amorites promptly vanquished their army and chased them all the way to Hormah. After this demoralizing defeat the people wept before the Lord but He neither heeded their voices or paid them any attention.
God's response to rebellion hasn't changed with the passage of time. He expects His people to listen to His voice and be faithful to His commands. Failure to obey God (not delayed obedience) will always result in our defeat and even worse the loss of protection and the presence of God until we genuinely repent of our faithlessness.
