What does Acts 13:18 mean?

Paul is in a synagogue in Pisidian Antioch highlighting God's saving work throughout Jewish history. After God rescued the Israelites from Egypt with an "uplifted arm" (Acts 13:17), He led them to Mount Sinai to give them the Law that would identify them as His people. Along the way, they grumbled for food, so He sent manna (Exodus 16:2–4). Then they grumbled for meat, so He sent them quail (Exodus 16:13–14). Not long after, they grumbled for water, and God gave them water from a rock (Exodus 17:1–7).

Once they arrived at Mt. Sinai, God showed them His glory in lightning and smoke and the sound of trumpets. The people responded in fear and insisted Moses act as their liaison (Exodus 20:18–21). While Moses was at the top of Mount Sinai, speaking with God, the people grew restless for his return. His brother Aaron made them a golden calf and declared, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). To top it all off, when God finally brought them to the land He had promised them, they refused to go (Numbers 13:1—14:10). In response, God had them wander in the wilderness for forty years, enduring even more of their insults until the generation that came from Egypt had died out and their children were prepared to take their inheritance (Numbers 14:20–38).

Despite their grumbling and rebellion, God not only put up with the Israelites, but He also saved them.