Numbers 21:21-25
21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying, 22 “Let me pass through your land; we will not turn away [from the road] into field or vineyard; we will not drink the water of the wells. We will go by the king’s highway until we have crossed your border.” 23 But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his border. Instead Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel into the wilderness, and came to Jahaz, and he fought against Israel. 24 Then Israel struck the king of the Amorites with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for the boundary of the Ammonites was strong. 25 Israel took all these cities, and settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its towns.
In this passage we witness a single and fatal mistake made by Sihon. Where Israel had a peaceful request it was met with hostility instead of hospitality. In the end he did not just loose a battle, but all that he had. Every single last thing… gone!
His “no” was rooted in stubbornness, pride and even has a spiteful nature to it. Ultimately leading to his own destruction.
This should give us pause to examine our own hearts and actions. There is nothing wrong with setting boundaries and saying no when the situation calls for it, but when that no is driven by bitterness and pride with a self serving agenda we risk following in Sihon’s footsteps. Where his destruction was physical ours can above that, also be spiritual, driving a wedge between us and the goodness that God has in store for us.
Let us keep our hearts checked, filled with the very nature of Christ. Let’s pray for a heart filled with wisdom, compassion and discernment. That we may be quick to realize when our actions are shaped in stubbornness, and surrender to God before we cause our own destruction.