The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Judges 11:16-21, “For when they came up from Egypt, and Israel went through the wilderness to the Red Sea and came to Kadesh,

17 then Israel sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, “Please let us pass through your land,” but the king of Edom would not listen. And they also sent to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel remained at Kadesh.

18 ‘Then they went through the wilderness and around the land of Edom and the land of Moab, and came to the east side of the land of Moab, and they camped beyond the Arnon; but they did not enter the territory of Moab, for the Arnon was the border of Moab.

19 ‘And Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, the king of Heshbon, and Israel said to him, “Please let us pass through your land to our place.”

20 ‘But Sihon did not trust Israel to pass through his territory; so Sihon gathered all his people and camped in Jahaz, and fought with Israel.

21 ‘And the LORD, the God of Israel, gave Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they defeated them; so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country.”

It looked as if Israel had met her match. Israel had ventured into some unlikely territory where other nations already occupied the land. The proper way to gain the right to cross the occupied land was to ask permission from those who were the current occupants. How long the leaders of the two nations were in deliberations, we do not know; yet, in the end, Israel was denied the right to cross the land.

Israel then sought the able assistance of Sihon, but he “did not trust Israel to pass through his territory.” This caused a fight – a fight that Israel won! Ultimately, Israel “possessed all the land of the Amorites.”

What we learn from Israel’s experience is 1) always respect the rights of others. They were the occupants before Israel came into the land. 2) Always look to see if there are other ways or people who could help you to gain your objective. 3) Trust the LORD, even when you have to fight to gain the objective. 4) Never forget that the LORD is with you! Always remember that whatever is gained becomes HIS possession!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom