Torah Commentary Archives
Chukat “Statute”
Numbers 19:1–22:1
Judges 11:1–33
John 11–12
Give or It Shall Be Taken From You
A common thread we have seen the past few weeks with grumbling, murmuring and complaining continues this week. I pray we have learned the importance of having an “attitude of gratitude” to help us overcome these unwelcome sins. Sadly, in this portion Israel's grumbling not only affected them, but their leader. Their sin permeated the camp. Moshe had enough of the people and entered into their spirit of frustration. This mistake cost him a price higher than he desired to pay. Because he disobeyed a direct command from Yah by striking the rock the second time, instead of speaking to it, he was judged. His consequence was painful; the inability to enter the Promise Land with Israel. Although he would not enter the Land, he still had the job of taking the people to their destination.
There was an obstacle in the way between Israel's current location and the Land they were to enter – the land controlled by Sichon, king of the Emori. Moshe sent word to Sichon explaining he wanted to lead Israel through the land Sichon occupied. After all, they have been in the desert for a long time and a shortcut is a shortcut. Moshe made sure Sichon understood he did not desire to take the land, eat from its fields and vineyards or even drink the water of the land. Israel did not need any of those things. They had the land HaShem promised them, they had all the manna a person could ever want; manna burgers, manna pancakes, manna upside down cake. (You know the rest.) Moshe had one interest the shortcut through the land of the Emori.
It seems Sichon was never told about the wonders of giving to Yah or Genesis 12:3. I am sure if he understood who these people were and Whom they served and that by giving Israel access to the King's Highway, he would have been blessed beyond measure, Sichon's decision would have been different. Instead of giving to Yah, self service thinking provoked him to take from Yah. In this case he greedily desired to take the lives and possessions of HaShem's people. What he failed to recognize was the Creator of the universe owned the people and their possessions. We read as expected Sichon was defeated. Not only defeated, but what he controlled was taken from him and given to Israel as a temporary dwelling place until they moved on to their inheritance. Don't mess with what belongs to HaShem!
What can we learn from the account of Sichon, king of the Emori? Here are a few suggestions.
1. Never think you really own anything.
Scripture teaches us that our Creator owns everything from the smallest and most insignificant of our possessions to our very life itself. Everything we have is a gift from Him and should be appreciated as such. None of us are assured another breath outside of His sustaining us.
2. Always listen for the voice of giving.
Since nothing is ours to begin with, we need to keep in mind what has been entrusted to us can be put to better use in the hands of someone else. Possessions, finances and even life itself needs to be seen as temporary. Yeshua's sacrificial death exemplifies the ultimate giving.
3. If you are not willing to give, then it may be taken so the purposes of Yah may go forth.
Each of us has many choices in life. One of the greatest choices is whether to be a part of what HaShem is doing or be an obstacle. Obstacles on a highway slow down traffic and may even cause accidents. To the Hebrews the obstacle of Sichon slowed their progress. HaShem will never allow humans to detour His plans for this earth. He removed Sichon from the picture. If we choose to be obstacles for HaShem's plans, we too can be removed!
4. Even king's houses can be given new occupants.
I wonder who lived in Sichon's residence after his defeat. I believe Moshe would have declined the privilege because of his humility. We do not read that Sichon was killed in the battle. Maybe he lived long enough to see the new occupants with the horse and cart backed up to his house, bringing in their possessions. If you and I are not willing to use what we have been entrusted with for Yah's glory, we need not be surprised if it is given to another who will.
There is much we can learn this week about how we perceive the use of the possessions Yah has bestowed upon us. In the case of Sichon, he desired the Creator to walk around what he had, not walk through it. It was not just the Hebrews who were being told to walk around. If we consider Deuteronomy 23, we are told He was walking in the camp as well. By not offering hospitality to Israel, Sichon was also disregarding HaShem to pass through.
Let us ask ourselves, “What are we asking the Almighty to walk around instead of through?” Are there habits, traditions, attitudes we are not allowing Him to be a part of, but rather asking Him to walk around?
This may be a good time to review Haggai 1:7. Haggai is only two chapters. Why not splurge and review the whole book?