After the 40 years… (5 things)

• 1^st – Around the mountain…vs. 1-3 Read: Deuteronomy 2:1-9
  • We wandered for many days…
    • With these simple words 40 years passed – nothing more is mentioned…
    • I am sure there were many things that happened – lots of events…
    • Men worked / couples fell in love / babies were born / birthdays / people died…
    • But it was essentially just a waste of time – 40 years lost because of disobedience…
  • You have been around this mountain long enough…
    • Israel had been going in circles – getting nowhere fast – it was time to move on!

• We all know people who get in trouble – call out on God – and God helps them…
• Only to turn around and go right back to what got them into trouble!
• When we don’t obey and follow the Lord – we end up ‘wasting a lot of time’…
• We just wander around in life in circles – never really accomplishing anything…
• God is patient – He will let us wander until we realize – He is all we will ever need!
• When we turn back to Jesus – He picks up right were we left off in our walk of faith…
• Better not to waste the years pointlessly – better to follow the Lord today!

• 2^nd – The decendents of Esau & Lot…vs. 4-23
  • Israel approached the Promised Land from the south/east – through Mt. Seir…
    • Israel was not allowed to attack – God had given Mt. Seir to Edom as a possession…
      • Edom was the home of the descendents of Esau  – brother of Jacob/Israel…
      • Two brothers – Jacob and Esau – that represent two very different nations…
      • Jacob became Israel – a man governed by God – became a Godly nation…
      • Esau was only concerted about his daily needs – sold his birthright for soup…
    • His decedents followed his example – they cared very little about God…
      • An encouragement – or warning – be a good example to our family…
      • If we don’t like what you see in our children – look in the mirror…
      • Our kids are a reflection of us – they follow in our footsteps!
      • They are going to grow up to be just like – for good or for bad…
  • Israel was not to take advantage of the Edomites – ‘rob’ their brother…
    • Israel was to buy any food and water they needed at fair wages…
      • The Edomites were not happy that Israel was around – Numbers 20:17-18
      • More than likely there was conviction there – they knew Israel followed God!
      • It would have been easy to justify not treating them nicely…
      • But if they stole from Edom – what kind of witness would they be for God…
      • Better to be a good witness to Edom – let them see God through their lives…
    • Most of us can relate to having some family that does not know/follow the Lord…
      • Sometimes they do not even want us around – we remind them of Jesus…
      • They often say cruel/cutting things to us / don’t include us…
      • It would be easy to want to ignore them / maybe even be attack them back…
      • But then what kind of witness would we be for Jesus…
      • It is the goodness of God that leads people to Jesus – Romans 2:4…
      • Loving them – even when they are cruel to us – shows we are different…
      • It gives us the opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them!
  • Israel was not allowed to attack Moab or Ammon…
    • Leaving Ezion Geber (modern day Akaba/ Elat) north end of the Red Sea…
      • Israel followed the Jordan River valley up to the Dead Sea to the land of Moab…
      • The Moabites were the descendents of Lot – nephew of Abraham – Genesis 19…
      • After the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah Lot hid in the hill with his daughters…
      • His daughters – thinking all the men were dead – got their dad drunk…
      • They lay with him and both had sons – the Moabites and Ammonites…
    • Israel was likewise here to pay for everything they needed…
      • It would have been easy for them to say – poor us – we were slaves in Egypt…
      • We have been wandering for 40 years in the wilderness – help us out!
      • Yet God had provided for all Israel’s needs – they lacked nothing they needed…
      • Instead of asking for help – they were to be giving to others!
    • Too often Christians come asking – rather than giving…
      • The typical stereotype of a Christian church is one with its hand held out…
      • Giving the impression that God is broke – that He needs your money…
      • Yet God gives us everything we need – and calls us to give not take from others!
      • Acts 20:35 – “Help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive…”
        
• 3^rd – Dedicated to the Lord…vs. 14-16 Read: Deuteronomy 2: 14-16
  • Only when all those who had rebelled were dead – could Israel move forward…
    • So long as even one of the men of war who had refused to go into the Land lived…
    • Israel was bound to wander in the wilderness – they could not enter in…
    • Only with Israel whole heartedly dedicated to the Lord – could they proceed…
  • We cannot serve God with a divided heart…
    • Many Christians try to cut a deal with God – give them ‘part’ of their lives…
    • God I will give you Sunday mornings / and whatever other time I can spare…
    • * Luke 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and this world…”
    • We cannot serve both Jesus and the things of this world (mammon)
    • We will end up loving one and hating the other / loyal to one and despise the other…
    • We will only be effective for God when we choose to be completely dedicated to Him!
      
• 4^th – Beginning the conquest… Deuteronomy 1:24-2:20 Read: Deuteronomy 2:25, 32-34
  • God put the fear of Israel into the all the nations… vs. 24-25
    • Word had got out what happened in Egypt / how God had split an ocean for Israel…
      • * Joshua 2:9-11 – “‘I know the LORD has given you this land,’ she told them. ‘We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror.’”
      • No wonder the nations were terrified – who could defeat a nation God fought for!
      • Imagine if you were told Japan was coming to attack the Philippines…
      • Their god had dried up the ocean and they were marching here on dry land!
      • You would not be looking to join the fight – you’d be looking for a place to hide!
    • Since God is for us – nothing can stand against us – Romans 8:31
      • I can remember as a kid – when a bigger kid than you picked on you…
      • You would fall back on ‘my Dad is bigger than your Dad…’ – Dad was the protector!  
      • We have a ‘Dad’ who is bigger / stronger / and more powerful than anyone…
      • Who can come against us – pick on us – when our Father is God in Heaven!
  • Israel needed to pass through the land of the Amorites… vs. 26-29
    • Moses offered the same agreement he had given to Edom and Moab…
      • He would stick to the roads / pay for any food and water Israel needed…
      • But God hardened the heart of King Sihon and King Og and they attacked Israel…
    • The Amorites were a nation God commanded Israel to destroy – Deuteronomy 7:1
      • But there was still grace – God gave them the choice – one last chance…
      • God desires that all men be saved – He does not want any to perish – II Peter 3:9
  • Every man / woman / and child was put to the edge of the sword…
    • God is love – I John 4:8 – how could He command Israel to commit genocide…
      • God had allowed 400 years for the Amorites to repent – Genesis 15:16
      • But they’d only grown even more wicked – and now they were a threat to Israel…
      • They worshiped many false gods – Exodus 23:23-24
      • They offered their children as sacrificed to demons – Leviticus 18:21-24
      • They practiced every for of sexual immorality – Leviticus 18
      • * Deuteronomy 9:5 – “It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness…”
    • If they were allowed to remain – they would quickly corrupt Israel…
      • These nations were like a cancer that would only seek to destroy…
      • And like cancer the only solution was to cut them out – destroy the disease!
      • I Corinthians 5:6 – “A little leaven – leavens the whole lump…”
      • When sin goes unchecked it encourages others to sin…
      • It only takes a ‘little’ mud to make a glass of water dirty…
      • A little sin can quickly spread out and infect a whole family or church!
  • King Og was one the last of the Rephaim/Giants… Read: Deuteronomy 3:11
    • His bed was made of iron – presumably to support his huge size and weight (600 lbs)
    • His bed was 13.5’ x 6’ – suggesting he could have been up to 13’ tall!
    • Giants are thought to have been some of the oldest residents of Canaan…
    • They are always portrayed as opposed to Israel and God – Goliath…
  • The land on the eastern side of the Jordan… vs. 12-20
    • Having conquered and wiped out King Sihon of Amorites and King Og of Bashan…
    • Israel possessed all the Land east of the Jordan from the Dead Sea – to Mt. Hermon!
    • The land was given to Rueben / Gad / and the ½ tribe of Manasseh…

But we can always have the confidence – He has our best in mind!

5^th – The request of Moses…vs. 21-29 Read: Deuteronomy 3:23-28

Seeing the victory God gave to Israel – Moses wanted to lead them into the Land!

But Moses had misrepresented God to the nation of Israel – Numbers 20

When Israel was thirsty – He struck the Rock (Jesus) rather than speak to it…

Moses had faithfully lead Israel for 40 years – put up with all their complaining…

He made one mistake – just months before the finish line – and he was disqualified!

He would be allowed to see the Land – Deuteronomy 32:52 – but not enter in…

Moses pleaded with the Lord…

But God would have none of it – Joshua would be the one to lead Israel in…

Because the Law cannot save you – only Jesus can bring you into the ‘land’…

God commanded Moses never to speak of it again!

There are times when we really want God to give us something…

And when God tells us no – like any good kid – we keep on asking!

But there is a reason why God says no – it is always for our good…

Paul asked God three times to take away his ‘thorn’ – II Corinthians 12:8

II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

We may not always understand why the Lord allows things to happen…