"We see, then, that they were not able to enter the land, because they did not believe. Now, God has offered us the promise that we may receive that rest he spoke about. Let us take care, then, that none of you will be found to have failed to receive that promised rest. For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith. We who believe, then, do receive that rest which God promised."

(Hebrews 3.19-4.1-3 GNB)

During the Exodus, were there some Israelites who chose to stay behind? Some probably inter-married or were too sick to travel and thus stayed back in Egypt. Their stories were not told.

Of those who left Egypt, many did not truly believe. They left because the leaders of the clans had decided collectively to follow Moses and Aaron.

So when things did not go as they imagined it would be, they questioned the promise. And they wondered if it were better to have stayed behind in Egypt.

For some, they may believe the promise initially and then wavered in faith as they underwent their journey.

And the only people who entered the promised land - the promised rest - were only those who kept obeying in deeds, not just in words. Those who followed through and kept at it day in and day out.