Numbers 32:6
And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?
Moses' question is a rebuke and challenge to the children of Gad and Reuben for wanting to sit still and settle east of the Jordan while their brethren go to war to possess Canaan. He feared their request sprang from unbelief, sloth, and cowardice, and from seeking their own ease and prosperity. To sit still while others go to war discourages the heart of Israel and of God's people from going over into the land the Lord gave them.
It repeats the rebellion of their fathers when Moses sent them from Kadesh-barnea to see the land, who went up to the Valley of Eschol and discouraged Israel from entering, so that the Lord's anger was kindled and He swore that none of the men that came up out of Egypt from twenty years old and upward would see the land sworn to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because they had not wholly followed Him, save Caleb the Kenezite and Joshua the son of Nun who wholly followed the Lord, and He made Israel wander forty years until the generation that had done evil was consumed, which shut Israel out of the promised land. The verse proves that God's promises are conditional on obedience. As with ancient Israel, so now disobedience, unthankfulness, and unholiness hinders God's work and delays His purpose, including delaying the sealing of the servants of God in their foreheads and holding back the winds, though God is jealous yet bears long with transgression.
If God's people had walked in His counsel, believed Him, done His word, and kept His commandments, the work would have advanced and truth would have been carried to all people on the earth. Because they are disobedient, time is prolonged and the sealing time is delayed so that opportunity is given for many who have not heard the truth to hear the last message of mercy proclaimed with a loud voice and be converted, and then the great work will go forward. It warns the present generation risen up in their fathers' stead as an increase of sinful men not to augment the fierce anger of the Lord, for if they turn away He will yet again leave Israel in the wilderness and destroy all the people. God's people must not seek their own ease while leaving fellow believers to bear hardship and responsibility; all who serve God must take part in the conflict for truth and holiness.