The long trek was deliberate, because the Hebrews kept whining, saying they would have better off in Egypt and that God brought them out there to lead them to their deaths. As he had already done more miracles for them on the trip than he did with the Plagues of Egypt, he told them to turn around. They decided to invade the land like he first siad too, but they went for the weakest, most worthless area and still got thrashed. They obeyed afterwards. Everyone was fed daily and Justin had to walk, but it was basically that people weren't going to be grateful if they kept harping on about Egypt and wanting to be slaves again.