“Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. (Numbers 21:22,23 ESV)
Share
“Mine” is one of the first words many toddlers learn. It is also one of the worst words we use, at any age.
The king of Sihon thought that his fields, vineyards, and wells were HIS. But they were not. They belonged, like ALL things, to Jahweh, God. Moses promised that when traveling through Sihon’s territory, they would not take what the king claimed. But Sihon refused. Not only did he not offer to help the wanderers, but he would not allow Israel to even come close.
Sihon paid a terrible price.
And we should take note.
The owner of the cattle on a thousand hills, God, did not put those fields, vineyards, and wells into Sihon’s stewardship merely for Sihon’s benefit. God placed those parts of HIS “cattle” in the place where they could be used to help and bless others. Sihon missed that.
We sometimes pray, when in need, “Lord, You own the cattle on a thousand hills… please aid me with some of those ‘cattle.’ And that is a good prayer.
But are we not also in Sihon’s shoes? And do we not also act like Sihon? Hording what the Owner has put into our care?
He has given us fields, vineyards, and wells so that we can bless and help others.
There are wanderers nearby… you know what to do.