"In their contest with Og and Sihon the people were brought to the same test beneath which their fathers had so signally failed. But the trial was now far more severe than when God had commanded Israel to go forward. The difficulties in their way had greatly increased since they refused to advance when bidden to do so in the name of the Lord. It is thus that God still tests His people. And if they fail to endure the trial, He brings them again to the same point, and the second time the trial will come closer, and be more severe than the preceding. This is continued until they bear the test, or, if they are still rebellious, God withdraws His light from them and leaves them in darkness. PP 437.1"
"Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;"
Both passages deal with the Israelites being tested and failing, and the consequences of their disobedience. The EGW passage expands on the principle of repeated testing and increasing severity, which is a theme present in the Old Testament, although not explicitly stated in Numbers 14:22. The verse speaks of tempting God repeatedly.
"Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the Lord, we will go up and fight, according to all that the Lord our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill."
Both passages refer to the Israelites' initial reluctance to enter Canaan and their subsequent, ill-fated attempt. The EGW passage draws a parallel between their past failure and their present test, highlighting the consequences of disobedience. Deuteronomy 1:41 describes their attempt to rectify their initial refusal.
The Hebrews now remembered how once before, when their forces had gone to battle, they had been routed, and thousands slain. But they had then gone in direct opposition to the command of God. They had gone out without Moses, God's appointed leader, without the cloudy pillar, the symbol of the divine presence, and without the ark. But now Moses was with them, strengthening their hearts with words of hope and faith; the Son of God, enshrined in the cloudy pillar, led the way; and the sacred ark accompanied the host. This experience has a lesson for us. The mighty God of Israel is our God. In Him we may trust, and if we obey His requirements He will work for us in as signal a manner as He did for His ancient people. Everyone who seeks to follow the path of duty will at times be assailed by doubt and unbelief. The way will sometimes be so barred by obstacles, apparently insurmountable, as to dishearten those who will yield to discouragement; but God is saying to such, Go forward. Do your d…
"But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp."
Both passages contrast the Israelites' failed attempt to enter Canaan without God's presence (ark, Moses, pillar of cloud) with a situation where they have those elements. The EGW passage uses this contrast to illustrate the importance of obedience and faith. Numbers 14:44 describes the failed attempt.
"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:"
The EGW passage explicitly mentions the 'cloudy pillar' as a symbol of God's presence and leadership, directly referencing the imagery in Exodus 13:21. It's a clear allusion to the pillar of cloud leading the Israelites.