Based on Ellen White's writings, I can explain the incident of fornication among the Israelites in the wilderness: ## The Incident at Baal-peor The primary instance of fornication among the Israelites in the wilderness occurred at Baal-peor, near the end of their 40-year wilderness wandering. Ellen White provides detailed accounts of this tragic event: ### Balaam's Wicked Counsel After Balaam was prevented from cursing Israel directly, he devised a different strategy. "Balaam knew that the prosperity of Israel depended upon their observance of the law of God, and that there was no way to bring a curse upon them but by seducing them to transgression" (PP 451.5). "He counseled Balak to proclaim an idolatrous feast in honor of their idol gods, and he would persuade the Israelites to attend, that they might be delighted with the music; and then the most beautiful Midianitish women should entice the Israelites to transgress the law of God, and corrupt themselves, and also influence them to offer sacrifice to idols" (1SP 326.2). ### The Seduction Process "At Balaam's suggestion, a grand festival in honor of their gods was appointed by the king of Moab, and it was secretly arranged that Balaam should induce the Israelites to attend. He was regarded by them as a prophet of God, and hence had little difficulty in accomplishing his purpose" (PP 454.3). The seduction was gradual: "Great numbers of the people joined him in witnessing the festivities. They ventured upon the forbidden ground, and were entangled in the snare of Satan. Beguiled with music and dancing, and allured by the beauty of heathen vestals, they cast off their fealty to Jehovah. As they united in mirth and feasting, indulgence in wine beclouded their senses and broke down the barriers of self-control. Passion had full sway; and having defiled their consciences by lewdness, they were persuaded to bow down to idols" (PP 454.3). ### The Spread of Corruption "It was not long before the poison had spread, like a deadly infection, through the camp of Israel. Those who would have conquered their enemies in battle were overcome by the wiles of heathen women. The people seemed to be infatuated. The rulers and the leading men were among the first to transgress, and so many of the people were guilty that the apostasy became national. 'Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor'" (PP 454.4). ### God's Judgment The consequences were severe: "This very sin, fornication, prevailed among ancient Israel, which brought the signal manifestation of God's displeasure. The judgments of God followed close upon their heinous sin. Thousands of them fell, and their polluted bodies were left in the wilderness" (SA 142.2). Scripture records that "fell in one day three and twenty thousand" (1 Corinthians 10:8, as quoted in SA 142.2). ### Phinehas's Zealous Action The climax came when "Zimri, one of the nobles of Israel, came boldly into the camp, accompanied by a Midianitish harlot, a princess 'of a chief house in Midian,' whom he escorted to his tent. Never was vice bolder or more stubborn" (PP 455.2). "Phinehas, the son of Eleazar the high priest, rose up from among the congregation, and seizing a javelin, 'he went after the man of Israel into the tent,' and slew them both. Thus the plague was stayed" (PP 455.2). ### The Lesson for All Time Ellen White emphasizes that this account serves as a warning: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall" (SA 142.2, quoting 1 Corinthians 10:11-12). This incident demonstrates how compromise with worldly pleasures and associations can lead to spiritual downfall, even among God's chosen people.

Based on Ellen White's writings, while she doesn't specifically address what happened to the wives of the men who died in the plague at Baal-peor, we can understand the broader consequences of this judgment on families: ## The Scope of the Judgment Ellen White confirms the massive scale of the judgment: "Thousands of them fell, and their polluted bodies were left in the wilderness" (SA 142.2). She also notes that "the rulers and the leading men were among the first to transgress" (PP 454.4), indicating that many family heads were among those who perished. ## The Nature of the Consequences The judgment was swift and severe: "A terrible pestilence broke out in the camp, to which tens of thousands speedily fell a prey. God commanded that the leaders in this apostasy be put to death by the magistrates" (PP 455.1). This would have left many families without their primary providers. ## God's Care for Widows and Orphans While Ellen White doesn't specifically detail what happened to the wives left behind at Baal-peor, she does emphasize throughout her writings God's special concern for widows and orphans. In describing God's law, she writes: "The rights of widows and orphans were especially guarded, and a tender regard for their helpless condition was enjoined. 'If thou afflict them in any wise,' the Lord declared, 'and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless'" (PP 310.4). She also notes: "The widow and the fatherless are the objects of the Lord's special care, and those who in any way rob them of the means they should have, those who regard their wants with indifference, will be dealt with by the Judge of all the earth" (5MR 416.1). ## The Broader Pattern Ellen White indicates this was part of a larger pattern of consequences for Israel's unfaithfulness. She writes that when Israel intermarried with the Canaanites and fell into idolatry, "the land was polluted with blood.... Therefore was the wrath of the Lord kindled against His people" (PP 544.3). ## Conclusion While Ellen White doesn't provide specific details about the widows left after the Baal-peor incident, her writings consistently show that God's judgments, though severe, were always accompanied by His care for the innocent and vulnerable. The tragedy at Baal-peor would have indeed left many women without husbands, but they would have remained under God's protective care as part of His covenant people, provided they remained faithful to Him. The incident serves as a sobering reminder that sin has consequences that extend beyond the individual to affect entire families and communities.