Joshua 18:3

Are ye slack? Because the Israelites had long followed a nomadic life they were reluctant to make a change. They had been enriched with the plunder of the Canaanites and were living in plenty. They seemed to be more intent on present ease and indulgence than upon obtaining their inheritance. Like the Babel builders of old, they were pleased with their present condition of living in a body together. They apparently had no mind to be scattered abroad and break good company. From the very beginning it had been God’s plan for man to scatter upon the face of the earth rather than to colonize together in one place. As soon as men lost their spiritual vision they showed a tendency to congregate together, and to seek the protection of man rather than to trust in the protection of God.

There is a lesson in this for us. After we have been truly converted to God and have received our title to eternal life, our great concern should be to labor to enter into possession of that eternal inheritance. But too often, like the seven tribes, we become content with the spoils of this life and feel no urge to pursue our possessions. To us comes the apostle’s admonition, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life” (1 Tim. 6:12).