You shall not pass

After journeying through the wilderness, facing trials, and overcoming their own failures, Moses and the Hebrews were nearing the Promised Land. All they needed was permission to cross through the land of the Edomites, but they said "no." In Numbers 20:14-21 for this message, trying to answer the question "Why didn't God fix it?"

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Transcript

*this is not a word for word transcript, the sermon manuscript

YOU SHALL NOT PASS

Have any of you other parents ever taken your kids to something, only to sit wondering as the even was happening if it was a good idea? When Jaedyn was four and Ben was two, a friend’s church was hosting a play called “God with us.” It was a program depicting the life of Jesus, so I took my family to go watch. But I soon realized this little church went all out, to graphically showing the arrest and crucifixion, all the way to cutting a hole out in their ceiling for when Jesus ascends into heaven.

As soon as the lights went out at the very beginning, Ben was like “no.” So I ended up watching most of the program from their basement on a small monitor. Nicole stayed in the sanctuary with Jaedyn, who was scared but determined to see the whole thing through. During the crucifixion, she watched with her hands over her eyes. And when they placed Jesus in the tomb, Jaedyn was very sad, but she said a very profound theological statement to Nicole. “God is going to fix it.” When Jesus walked out of the tomb, Jaedyn stood to her little feet and clapped her hands.

You and I as believers have confidence, just as Jaedyn did, that no matter the situation God can fix it. But we all have had moments where we have prayed, expecting God to step in and bring about a different outcome, yet that does not happen. The passage we look at today will lead us to ask the question, “Why didn’t God fix it?” This sermon is titled “You shall not pass.”

Numbers 20:14-21

14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the King of Edom, saying: “This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come upon us. 15 Our forefathers went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our father, 16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. “Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. 17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the king’s highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” 18 But Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.” 19 The Israelites replied: “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only way to pass through on foot—nothing else.” 20 Again they answered: “You may not pass through.” Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them. (NIV)

This is the Word of God, for the people of God, thanks be to God.

Before we dig into the text, trying to answer the question “Why didn’t God fix it?” first we must remember what is happening up to this moment. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, have left Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. They have grumbled, complained, and rebelled against God on multiple occasions up to this point. Immediately before our passage, Moses was so frustrated he disobeys God by smacking a rock with his staff instead of speaking to it. With the backstory in mind, let us dig into the passage.

Verses 14-17 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying: “This is what your brother Israel says: You now about all the hardships that have come upon us. Our forefathers went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel brought us out of Egypt. Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the king’s highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” Despite all their failures, Moses and the Israelites are not far from reaching Canaan. Like today, roads were important in this period. Canaan was connected to Egypt and many other kingdoms by a trade route called the king’s highway. Moses was counting on this common trade route to help his people finish their journey. All that stood in their way was the Edomites.

The Edomites were the descendants of Esau. Who was Esau? In Genesis we read about Esau being the oldest son of Isaac. Oldest by about thirty seconds, when his twin brother Jacob was born. Rather than parent both kids together, Isaac and Rebekah play favorites. Rebekah helps Jacob trick Isaac into stealing Esau’s birth right. The two brothers would later patch up their relationship. But this is important because God later changes Jacob’s name to Israel. The Israelites are the descendants of Jacob.

Moses is hoping the brotherly love Esau showed toward Jacob would be passed down between these two nations. He is counting on the Edomites to allow them to stick to the roadway, to travel through to the Promised Land. It should not be a problem between family, right?

Verses 18-21 But Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.” The Israelites replied: “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.” Again they answered: “You may not pass through.” Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them. It seemed like no big deal to Moses and the Israelites, walking through their relatives’ land. But the Edomites say no. To be fair, the Israelites take spoils from Egypt and have been involved in battles, so I am sure the Edomites were being cautious.

Moses and the Israelites are so close, they are not about to give up now. They assure the Edomites they will stick to the highway, will not drink any water, or eat any of their cows. Any disputes, the Israelites would pay for them. Really, they were saying, “pretty please, let us pass.”

“You shall not pass!” Edomites repeat no again, but this time they send the army out. It is their land, and they have the right to determine who passes through. And they send out the army to assure the Israelites that they are not welcome.

This brings us to our question. The Israelites are God’s chosen people on their way to the land He has promised them. Why does He not change the Edomities mind? Why does God not fix it? There are two answers.

First, God did not fix it because of the disobedience of the Israelites. Not only the Israelites, but also Moses disobeys God. Logic would tell us that has to be the answer. There is a problem though, that reason is not listed. Throughout Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy, when the Israelites sin and are punished it is documented. But not right here.

Because they were disobedient is the answer we want as the reader. It is the answer we want since it is the answer that encourages us to be obedient to God. If we are obedient to God, good things happen and bad things happen when you do not. But this is the platitude answer, giving us the warm fuzzy feelings of assurance. However, the Bible clearly tells us that God sends the rain both on the good and the bad. (Matthew 5:45) This is self-assurance based on falsehood.

What is the true answer to our question? What is the most accurate based on the text that we can practical take and apply to our lives? Here it is. There is no answer. “I don’t know” is the correct answer to the question, “Why didn’t God fix it?”. We do not like this answer because we cannot embrace the mystery. Our desire is to have the answer so we can be self-sufficient when we were created to be dependent upon God. Can we trust the one who has the answer, even if that means we do not have the answer ourselves?

In Revelation, John was invited up to heaven. He gets a glimpse of the eternal throne and sees a scroll that contains the mysteries of God. John does not get to see the mysteries for himself, he is not worthy of that honor. But in 5:6-7, John records who is worthy to see them. “Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne… He came and took the scroll from the right of him who sat on throne.” Jesus is the one holds all the mysteries of God in His hand! The same Jesus who loved you enough to die for you on the cross, who never gives up on you.

You might be wondering why God didn’t fix it, and I cannot give you that answer. Even if you picked up the Bible and searched, the answer to that question will remain a mystery. The real question is can you give up your need to know, that desire to be self-sufficient? Can you trust Jesus, the one who holds all the mysteries of God in His hand?