Num 21:21-25 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.” But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. He gathered all his people together and went out against Israel to the wilderness and came to Jahaz and fought against Israel. And Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as to the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strong. And Israel took all these cities, and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages.
Num 21:31-35 Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. And Moses sent to spy out Jazer, and they captured its villages and dispossessed the Amorites who were there. Then they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.” So they defeated him and his sons and all his people, until he had no survivor left. And they possessed his land.
As was the case with the Edomites, the Amorites would not let Israel pass through their land – even though the Israelites promised it would be of no expense or trouble to the Amorites. The Edomites threatened Israel and gathered their army, but they did not attack Israel. The Amorites were different. They attacked Israel and King Sihon led the battle. It was not unrighteous of God to harden Sihon because he was not originally favorable towards Israel. God did not change Sihon’s heart to make him attack Israel. God simply gave Sihon over to what his evil heart desired. (Guzik)
Sihon went with his forces against Israel, out of his own borders, without provocation, and so ran upon his own ruin. The enemies of God’s church often perish by the counsels they think most wisely taken. Og, king of Bashan, instead of being warned by the fate of his neighbours, to make peace with Israel, makes war with them, which proves in like manner his destruction. Wicked men do their utmost to secure themselves and their possessions against the judgments of God; but all in vain, when the day comes on which they must fall. God gave Israel success, while Moses was with them, that he might see the beginning of the glorious work, though he must not live to see it finished. This was, in comparison, but as the day of small things, yet it was an earnest of great things. We must prepare for fresh conflicts and enemies. We must make no peace or truce with the powers of darkness, nor even treat with them; nor should we expect any pause in our contest. But, trusting in God, and obeying his commands, we shall be more than conquerors over every enemy. (Henry)
It is not a good thing to harden your heart against things of God and His plans and purposes. When we become complacent and neglectful there is a hardening of the heart. It is a hardening against the things of God. It might not be as blatant as these two Ammorite kings but surely it is just as fruitful in the lack of hearing and knowing the will of God. Just because you are not aware does not mean there is no battle being fought. The effects of neglect and complacency are not having a growing knowledge and understanding of the things of God. You can see this in the confusion and discernment between what is right and wrong. Social and news media outlets proclaim the most foolish reasons for homosexuality, transgender, gay pride, pornography, abortion, not to mention – looting and destruction, climate change, etc…….. The problem is that too many people who say they believe in God, do not have a firm stance or commitment against these things because they have no desire to grow in knowledge and understanding. They are not blind to it, but rather, they have no reference to understand it is wrong. They bite on to the false sound bites and narratives of those who deny and reject God, as if it is truth.
Our culture and society boastful proclamations are not a place to find truth. Be careful not to take in too much of it and lose your God honoring and glorifying purpose.
