Numbers 14:20-23 New International Version (NIV)
20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.
The people of Israel had a very clear view of God. No one before them had this. The Israelites had God’s laws and his presence with them. Why did they refuse to follow God after all this? Because they had all this proof of God, they knew better, so the judgement against them was more severe. Increased opportunity brings increased responsibility. As Jesus said, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return.” We have a responsibility to obey and serve God. We have been given much. We have the whole Bible. We know God’s Son, Jesus Christ.