And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel. Numbers 21:23
Some people can be so unreasonable, and often pay a high price for it. Take the example of a man who refused to allow a Christian organization to set up a youth centre on the street where he lived. The approval of neighbours was required for the city to grant the permit for the centre. Only one neighbour objected, a man who was well known for his hatred of the Christians, who lived next door to the proposed centre. He should have kept quiet. Somebody at city hall recognized him as a man the police were looking for, and he was arrested and imprisoned. His house was confiscated, and eventually sold to the group setting up the youth centre, enabling it to provide even more programs than planned. Something like what happened to the Amorite king Sihon in our text.
The Israelites made what they thought was a reasonable request. They just wanted to pass through Sihon’s domain without disturbing or using anything along the way. Sihon not only refused them passage, he also gathered up his troops and came against the Israelites to do them battle. The battle could not have gone worse for him. He not only lost the fight but also lost his entire kingdom. Messing with the Lord’s people is never a wise thing to do. Even today.
Many times in the Scriptures we read of the Lord blessing a community because of the presence of one of His own. Kindness shown to one of the Lord’s people was frequently well rewarded. And God has not stopped doing that; smart people in the world have learned that it is wise to treat Christians fairly and generously. And many not so smart have learned that it cost them dearly to oppose the Christians. It is a principle that God began with Abraham, promising to bless those who would bless Abraham, and curse those who cursed Abraham.
It is true that we don’t always see this principle played out in our own endeavours for the Lord. But even when we run into opposition that continues, we can know that God understands and will eventually punish the opposers as they deserve. And He gives us credit for making the honest effort.
Nobody has ever come out ahead when they opposed God or His people. Remember that when you run into a problem with people, and rejoice that you are on the Lord’s winning side. – Jim MacIntosh