The Grudge
Text: Numbers 20:14-21
Introduction:
“After the Israelites brief stay at Kadesh, Moses was eager to press on to Canaan. He had obviously given up any ideas of entering from the south because of the defeat Israel had already experienced from that quarter (14:44-45).
“He therefore requested permission from the king of Edom to take the famous king’s highway (20:17), a route that passed from the Red Sea north to Damascus via the Edomite city of Sela (later known as Petra). Moses appealed to Edom as a brother (v. 14) because the Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s brother (cf. Gen. 36:6-8). Moses then reviewed Israel’s history from the time of Jacob’s descent to Egypt to the present moment (Num. 20:15-16), an account, he said, with which the king of Edom was already familiar (v. 14). Then Moses promised that if Israel were allowed to pass through Edomite territory they would stay strictly on the road and would not eat or drink at Edom’s expense (v. 17).
“The request fell on unfriendly ears. The king of Edom denied passage on the king’s highway which passed through narrow mountain defiles and could easily be defended and barred against access (cf. Obad. 1-4). Again Moses pleaded, this time offering to pay for any water they might drink. Once more the entreaty was rejected and as a show of the seriousness of his resistance Edom’s king sent out troops to intercept Israel. Discouraged, Israel turned away.” (From Bible Knowledge Commentary, electronic version)
What Happened?
The Edomites were the descendants of Esau. Israelites were the descendants of Jacob. (Gen. 25:23)
Could the reaction of Edom’s king been rooted in the conflict between Jacob and Esau?
Moses was kind. The king of Edom was hateful and did not just say no but sent troops.
The History of the Conflict Between Israel and Edom (taken from Life Application Notes, electronic version)
Jacob and Esau struggled in their mother’s womb Gen. 25:19-26
Esau sold his birthright and blessing to Jacob Gen. 25:29-34
Edom refused to let the Israelites pass through its land Numb. 20:14-22
Israel’s kings had constant conflict with Edom
·Saul 1 Sam. 14:47
·David 2 Sam. 8:13-14
·Solomon 1 Kings 11:14-22
·Jehoram 2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chron. 21:8ff
·Jehoram 2 Kings 8:20-22; 2 Chron. 21:8ff
·Ahaz 2 Chron. 28:16
Edom urged Babylon to destroy Jerusalem - Psalm 137:7 Remember, O Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. "Tear it down," they cried, "tear it down to its foundations!"
What is a Grudge?
Webster’s Dictionary says a grudge is “resentment or ill will over someone.”
Listen to what the Bible says about God:
Psalm 130:3-4 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? [4] But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
The Hebrew for the NIV “kept a record” is “shamar” which means, “to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally to protect, attend to, etc. :- beware, be circumspect, keep (-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self)...” (from Strong’s)
This word is used almost 400 times and is usually translated “keep” or “kept”.
A grudge is a feeling, a hurt, a problem, that we keep, hold on to, guard, attend to. We make the choice.
What To Do About A Grudge?
So what do we do with grudges? How do we overcome them?
· Face it
It is interesting that when we first come to Christ, the first thing we must do is admit we are a sinner. Why? Because we must face the fact that we are lost without Christ.
And it is the same for all sins the rest of our lives. We must admit it. Look it in the face and say “You are sin.”
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
· Forgive it
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
When we truly confess our sins, then we will desire to forgive others.
Forgiveness is a heart issue and so there must be a change of the heart for us to forgive.
Refusing to forgive shows a heart problem in our relatinship with God.
· Reevaluate it
Look at the situation. Is it really that bad? Haven’t you done worse to others? To God? Do you want forgiveness and restoration?
Most of the time we want grace and forgiveness for ourselves but we want to judge others.
Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
John 7:24 Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
· Build confidence
Philip. 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
No matter what we face we can overcome and win with Christ.
We need to remind ourselves of that fact over and over again. Use the Word of God.
Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
· Be Controlled by the Holy Spirit
Allow the Holy Spirit to control your life.
Philip. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
God wants to do a good work in you and me. But to do that work we must be willing to let go and let God.
· Take care of it NOW
Don’t wait. Take care of it now.
2 Cor. 6:2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
