“But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.”
But because He knew that the eyes of the world were on this nation whose God had so remarkably delivered them from Egypt, He spared them, even though they did not deserve it, so that the nations would recognise His power and graciousness, and realise that He was indeed able to preserve His own people (see Exodus 32:11; Numbers 14:13-16).
Further Comments on God's Merciful Dealings in the Wilderness