Num
21:23-26, 32-22:1 (NIV) But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his
territory. He mustered his entire army and marched out into the desert against
Israel. When he reached Jahaz, he fought with Israel. 24 Israel, however, put
him to the sword and took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only
as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified. 25 Israel captured
all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its
surrounding settlements. 26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites,
who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken from him all his
land as far as the Arnon.
. . .
32
After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding
settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there. 33 Then they turned and
went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army
marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.
34 The
Lord said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over
to you, with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king
of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon."
35 So
they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them
no survivors. And they took possession of his land.
22 Then
the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan
across from Jericho.
NOTE: Since Edom
refuses Israel safe passage, the people take the long way via Arabia and
through the land of the Amorites, defeating two kings who control over 60
cities. These cities are occupied by Israel (if not at this point, then later
when the areas are parceled out). They are now on the Jordan river to the east
of the land of Canaan. It took 40 years to travel this week-long journey
because of Israel's unbelief, but they are now here. There is a message to us
in this long journey. If we are not willing to serve God in the undertaking he
has prepared for us, then he will find someone else. It may take a little
longer, but God will accomplish his purpose. What is it that God has called us
to do? It need not be some large thing, such as missionary work in the jungles
of Africa (although it could), but there is something that God has called every
person to do. Paul tells the Philippian Church, ". . . being confident of
this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until
the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6)" and Paul writes to Timothy, "If
a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble
purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2
Ti 2:21)" and, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:16,17)"
What good work are we preparing ourselves for -- what good work are we called
to?
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