had done so much for them, and there remained so little for them to do, it was highly criminal.]
2. For the undue satisfaction they took in their present comforts —
[Doubtless their present state formed a great contrast with that which they had experienced in the wilderness ; for they enjoyed all the rich provisions which had been treasured up for the use of the former inhabitants. But, because they were at present possessed of such abundance, they were unmmdful of that which was destined for their future and permanent support. Thus it frequently happens, that a present portion diverts men from the pursuit of an ulterior object, which would have more richly compensated their continued labours. Not that we mean to decry moderation ; for, when it is seated in the desires without impeding our actions, we consider it as a dis- tinguished virtue : but where a partial attainment of what is truly good, renders us indifferent to the fuller possession of that good, we regard that as an abuse of God's goodness to us, and a perversion of what he designed for our encouragement. In the Israelites it argued base ingratitude to God, and was a very shameful method of requiting all his kindness to them.]
3. For the light thoughts which they entertained of their promised inheritance —
[It is evident that they did not regard it in the exalted light in which God had represented it to them : they thought but little of it as an inheritance assigned to them by the Deity, and still less as a type and emblem of that glorious inheritance reserved for his people in a better world. In this respect they are followed by the whole race of mankind. God bestows in- numerable blessings on us, to lead up our minds to Him who gave them, and to stimulate us to the pursuit of far higher blessings : but we view these mercies only as they conduce to our present comfort, and entirely overlook the intention of the Donor : yea, we scarcely ever begin to think of spiritual benefits, till he has either withdrawn, or embittered to us our carnal enjoyments. In Israel, this conduct was peculiarly criminal, because the possession of this land had been promised to Abraham so many hundred years before, and had constituted the chief encouragement to the whole nation to devote them- selves unreservedly to the service of Jehovah.]
The reproof however must not be confined to them ; we must acknowledge, II. The justice of it as applied to ourselves —
God has given to us a better inheritance, even heaven itself : and much has he done for us, in order