It Begins

    Life seems to be a lot more preparation than actual action.  You may feel it in your own life, but you can really see it in the Bible.  We have spent two books just on preparation for the big life event.  Now the Hebrews are ready to act.  They get to begin to claim God's promise.

    God tends to give us one direction at a time.  He told the Hebrews it was time to take their land.  He began by the Red Sea.  He told them to go north to face the Ammonites.  If they didn't show hostility, then they were not to provoke them.  It probably was a little confusing to them, since they had previously been told to kill everyone or suffer their presence.

    The first king they engaged in battle with was King Sihon of Heshbon.  They displayed respect, but he refused to acknowledge it.  Some people are not in the right head space to be able to accept kindness, love, or mercy due to abuse, pain, or something else.  In another perspective, some people only know hate.  

    I think this king fell more in the direction of hate or jealousy.  He displayed a stubborn spirit and obstinate heart.  We do not know if he was aware that the Hebrews were going to take his land or not.  After all they had been wondering for 40 years coming across many cities.  There had to be rumors about them.  I am sure a few went around talking about what they would have one day.  It is human nature.  

    However, we do not know the actual motivation of this king.  What we do know is that his actions directly led to the death of all his people.  God had promised that land to His people.  They were going to get it no matter what that king decided would or would not happen.

    I get that it can be hard to accept God's plan when it seems to go against you.  However, if we chose to resolve ourselves to follow it no matter what, then we will display faith.  Walking by faith is always rewarded.  We need to be patient and wait like an excited child for that day.

Deuteronomy 2