When the Israelites entered Canaan, they did not fulfill God’s purpose by taking possession of the whole land. After making a partial conquest, they settled down to enjoy the fruit of their victories. In their unbelief and love of ease they congregated in the portions already conquered, instead of pushing forward to occupy new territory. Thus they began to depart from God. By their failure to carry out His purpose they made it impossible for Him to fulfill to them His promise of blessing. {8T 119.2}

[Da israelitterne var draget ind i Kana'an, opfyldte de ikke Guds hensigt og tog hele landet i besiddelse. Efter at have erobret en del af landet slog de sig ned for at nyde resultatet af deres sejre. I deres vantro og lyst til magelighed samledes de i de distrikter, som nu var erobret, i stedet for at trænge fremad og ind' tage nyt land. Sådan begyndte de at skille sig fra Gud. Ved at begå den fejl ikke at opfylde Guds hensigt gjorde de det umuligt for ham at opfylde sit løfte om at velsigne dem.