Deuteronomy 8:16

The grand end of all God's dealings with the Israelites in the desert, both the trials to which they were subjected and the benefits they received, was that he might do them good ultimately. Thy latter end ; not the end of life, as in Numbers 23:10 , but the state ensuing on the termination of their period of discipline and probation in the desert (cf. Job 8:7 ; Job 42:12 ; 2 Peter 2:20 ). God thus dealt with the Israelites as he still deals with his people; he afflicts them not for his pleasure but for their profit ( Hebrews 11:12 ); he subjects them to trial and varied discipline that he may fit them for the rest and joy that in the end are to be theirs.