The people of Israel began to journey back into the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, skirting Mount Seir for many days.
Finally the LORD spoke to Moses and told him to turn northward.
MEETING THE DESCENDANTS OF ESAU
God told Moses to inform the people that they were about to pass through the territory of their brethren, who were the descendants of Esau.
These people lived in Seir; and God pointed out the fact that they would be afraid of them.
God told everyone to be on their best behavior, watching themselves carefully.
Through Moses God commanded that they not meddle with Esau’s ancestors; because God was not going to give them any of their land, not even one footstep; because God had already given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.
He told the Israelites (through Moses) to buy food and water from them with money. God knew they would be hungry and thirsty from the journey and he allowed only this much communication between the people.
FORTY YEARS OF DIVINE PROVISION
As they walked on Moses reminded them that for 40 years they had been in the desert and God had been with them the whole time and they had lacked for nothing.
MEETING THE DESCENDANTS OF LOT
They passed beyond the descendants of Esau in Seir and they turned and passed the Wilderness of Moab.
The LORD commanded them not to harass Moab because He had given Ar to to the descendants of Lot as a possession.
They went through the land of the Anakim; where the people who had inhabited the land were regarded as giants.
Then God told them to rise and cross over the Valley of the Zered.
AN OLD GENERATION DIES AND A NEW GENERATION SURVIVES
So they crossed over and they eventually came to Kadesh Barnea after thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, just as the LORD had sworn would happen.
When all of that rebellious generation had perished from the people God spoke to Moses and said: “This day you are to cross over at Ar, the boundary of Moab, and when you come near the people of Ammon, do not harass them or meddle with them, for I will not give you any of the land of the people of Ammon as a possession because I have given it to the descendants of Lot as a possession.
DEFEATING ANOTHER ENEMY
God had already defeated all of the giants of this land in order to give it away to the descendants of Lot.
After they arrived there God said to them “Rise and take your journey and cross over the River Arnon.
At first, as Moses directed from God; they asked permission of King Sihon to pass through and promised to pay him for food and water; but the King did not agree and God commanded the people to fight against Sihon and his army.
God gave them victory over Sihon the King of Heshborn. Through Moses God commanded them to engage King Sihon in battle and to begin to possess his land. They destroyed all in that land, men, women and children, leaving nothing and only taking cattle for plunder.
THE GREAT GOD OF ISRAEL DEFENDS HIS PEOPLE
When the Israelites defeated the King of Sihon the news spread through the land and everyone living in that area became afraid of facing the Israelites.
It was reported that they were many and great and that their God was defending them in every battle.
As long as the Israelites went to the places where God told them to go; they were safe and God went with them. There were forbidden places that God did not let them go; and they obeyed.
The first thing that I noticed in this story of what happened as the people began to cross over and take possession of the land of promise is that God protected the people that He had already given land.
GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISES OF OLD
We hear of how the descendants of Esau were granted land and protected from anyone taking that land. God had fulfilled his promises to Isaac concerning this son Esau; even though Esau wasn’t the favored son. Isaac had prayed for Esau and pleaded for his portion of the inheritance of the children of Abraham, and God had answered those prayers, even though the birthright had been stolen by Jacob.
Provision had been made for Esau; simply because he was family.
Then we hear about the same type of situation being spoken of the land that God had given to Lot.
Lot and his descendants were protected and provided for also; not because they were worthy; simply because they were family.
The people of Israel were told not to bother these lands and they were obedient. Abraham’s descendants who had already obtained their inheritance were granted the right to keep it; despite the fact that they no longer knew Abraham’s God.
ACTING FAIRLY AND WITH HONOR
As they came to a foreign land that had no family connections; God commanded the Israelites to do the honorable thing; to speak to the King and let him know that they were coming in peace with the intentions of no harm.
They had promised (as commanded by God) that they would take only food and water that they would pay for everything they ate and drank. They spoke ahead to the King of how they would pass quickly through His land on their way to another place.
DEFEATING GODLESS AND GREEDY LEADERS ALONG THE WAY
This greedy, selfish king could not cooperate. He had no fear of the God of Israel.
There was no passing through the land without a great battle.
Christians of today have to face many similar battles as they pass through a godless wilderness called the world. They do all that God has commanded and try to pass peacefully; but the enemy usually is greedy and evil and many times there are battles to be faced and fought.
God was with Israel in this battle and He defended them against this enemy. God never changes. He still fights for and defends His people today. All they have to do is to obey and call upon His name. He is ever faithful to protect and defend his children.
BLOOD IS THICKER THAN WATER
We are only pilgrims passing through this world, but sometimes our journey takes us through foreign lands and places where God has not put His name. Many of us have had to live our lives within enemy territory.
When this happens our God expects us to act with love, compassion and dignity. God always demands the way of peace and perfect justice. Once this is offered and refused and violence and wars result; God always defends His people.
As God protected His people so long ago who were related to Abraham by blood; so too He will protect His people who are related to Him by the covering of the blood of Jesus.
LIKE A FATHER CARRIES A SON
God will never abandon the obedient people who follow Him daily and keep His commandments.
When the enemy comes; God will come to our defense.
Sometimes the army of God is invisible to us at the time; but looking back always tells the truth of the matter and reveals God’s power and love over us.
Some things never change.
BE BRAVE AND KEEP WALKING
Many of the things of life in this world can’t be planned or mapped out; and those people who do not follow God’s ways often interfere with the path of His people. God comes to their defense in the most unexpected ways and the most unexpected times and events.
We who call ourselves Christians must be brave and keep walking.
It is important to know that God is leading us to a place beyond anything we could ever imagine; and the battles along the way will be worth the effort to continue to follow Him.
FIGHTING SPIRITUAL GIANTS
We are definitely in a supernatural, spiritual battle today. There is no turning back. The fight will be on our knees and the battles may look overwhelming.
We must overcome.
To those who overcome God makes promises; just as He promised the people of Israel back so long ago.
Jesus has promised in Revelation 3:21: To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
The end of the story has already been told.
All we have to do is keep walking through the middle until God tells us what to do next. It is just that simple; yet just that complicated.
Our Father has got this daily battle from the world that we face each day; do not be afraid.