The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 38 years as part of God’s judgement on them for rebelling against Him and His Word. As if the author deliberately blotted them out, the narrative inconspicuously moved from the first generation to the second in a few chapters. Adding to the subtlety of the transition is the fact that the second generation grew up very much like their fathers, murmuring against God at every opportunity! Despite their weaknesses, God’s grace and mercy prevailed as He continued to watch over His people and protect them against external and internal threats.