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In the book of Numbers, we learn that the Israelites wandered aimlessly in the wilderness for a generation. Why?
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They begged God to not enter Canaan because of “giants” and they did not have faith in God, so He waited for that generation to die before making a new covenant with their descendants.
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They did not trust in God’s plan for their lives.
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Because they did not trust that God was there for them and lived a life of sin.
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When Israel approached the promised land, they sent 12 spies into the land to check it out. When the spies came back, 10 of them convinced the nation that they could not conquer the Canaanites. For that reason, the people refused to move forward into the land God promised to give them. They feared the giants more than they trusted God. Moses, Aaron (Israel’s high priest), and 2 of the Spies (Joshua & Caleb) reminded Israel that they are God’s people. They insisted that God was able to give them the land they had promised. Israel rebelled and prayed that God would not make them enter the land with its fierce enemies. God answered their prayers and from there Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years until the generation who disobeyed God died.
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The Israelites didn’t trust God, and so, God made Israel wonder through the dessert. God did this action in order to allow generation to die off, and start anew with next generation.