May I Ask a Favor of Your???

O. T. #342  "May I Ask a Favor of You???
August 13, 2014
Numbers 20-Part 3
And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom...  Numbers 20:14

LET IT GLOW

Have you had a person, who hurt you or who took advantage of you, not a favorite friend, ask you a favor? I found it difficult to help them, but I did it anyway. Or perhaps the table was turned and you had to ask that person to do you a favor. What happened?

This chapter is filled with so much-Miriam and Aaron die, and Moses is not allowed into the Promised Land due to his disobedience. Haven't we all been there? We loose our way, take a wrong turn, stumble into sin, then finally get out in time to reap the consequences of it. Or maybe we have fallen into a mud hole of depression. Perhaps we had mud slung on us, hurtful words, those which keep ringing in our head. Then they have the gall to ask a favor of us. Huh! After what you/ your family did to me/my family, you want this favor? How many times must I turn my cheek, just to get it hit again? REALLY, Lord??? Love my enemies? I know. Change my heart. Wellll, all right. After all, You did that while on the cross to your enemies. You forgave them. Help me forgive and love again today.

We pick up in verse 14 where Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom. You see, Israel was camped on the edge of their land, wanting to pass through their land since it was the nearest and shortest route to Canaan. They were sort of begging for a passport.

Here is some historical background you may recall. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob, whom God renamed Israel. Esau sold his firstborn birthright  for a bowl of stew to his brother Jacob. (Genesis 25:30 tells us Esau's name was changed to Edom.) Also, Jacob pretended to be Esau, thus obtaining the blessings of God from his father Isaac, Abraham's son. The Abrahamic  covenant included land, see, and blessing. About ten years later, Jacob reconciles the differences with brother Esau (Gen. 32-34). I suppose that the stories continued to be handed down throughout the generations. Maybe that is why Israel was denied passage through Edom.

Edom included the area south of the Dead Sea. When the request was denied, it forced Moses and the Israelites to travel over 50 additional miles of hot, barren, and hostile desert. (Falwell)

Every king has the right to refuse passage through his territories to any strangers. The Edomites of Kadesh were unfriendly and cruel. (Clarke)

The messengers were sent to ask this favor of the king of Edom with the persuasive words:

• Our fathers became mistreated slaves in Egypt. The Lord sent an angel (actually Jesus) to deliver  Israel.
• Please let us pass through your country.
• We will not go through any field or vineyard.
• Nor will we drink water from any well.
• We will travel along the king's highway. (first mentioned)
• We will not turn tight or turn left until we have passed through your territory.
• After the king refused, the Israelites offered to pay if their people drank any of the water, only passing through on foot, staying on the main road.

To that, the king sent out his large and powerful army. Israel turned away from the Edomites.

A highway was a thoroughfare (as a turnpike), a path.

The king's highway referred to public roads, common to all his subjects, travelers to walk in by his allowance. (Henry)

The king's highway was a public road made by the king's authority at the expense of the state. (Clarke)

This king's highway was the major north-south trade route from the Gulf of Aqabah north to Damascus, which passed through the Edomite city of Sela.  (MacArthur)


LET IT GROW

Jesus is the King of Christians, His believers and followers. He has provided the path for us to walk. He paid the toll, death on the cross, which was required by God. He paved the way for us, freely to walk on it. We are to be walking on the straight and narrow path, living His way. The question is: Are we? Do we sometimes veer to the right or left?

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:14, Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Friend, have you found the narrow way?

Jesus commands us in Luke 14:23: Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled.

Are we going? Are we inviting people to the Lord's house for worship and Bible study?

In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

His way leads to heaven. Are we headed in that direction? This world is not our home, we're just passing through. Will we bring other with us?


LET IT GO

Forgive and love again my enemies, those who don't like me.

Stay on King Jesus' highway for my life.

Follow His path for my life, not turning away into sin.

Bring others with me to heaven.