Grudges and grace. Numbers 20:14-20 Sometimes we must live with the bad decisions and sins of those who lived long before us. This was the case with the children of Israel and the kingdom of Edom. Many generations earlier, Isaac's second son, Jacob, stole the birthright from Esau, the firstborn. Esau was a wild and aggressive man, while Jacob was deceitful and clever. Both were ancestors of two nations by the time the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land. Esau was the father of Edom, and Jacob was the father of Israel. In families like nations, the character of the first leaders often influences many generations.
Character isn't just an accidental act beyond our control. What I habitually do—how I speak, what I read or listen to—everything that captures my attention enters my mind, and from that, a person's character is shaped. The seeds of character are genetic, but what I nourish my soul with determines whether my character develops for good or bad.
It's interesting that Israel did not try to enter Canaan from the south. It’s unclear whether this was due to fear of suffering the same defeat as after the spies gave their bad report, or for some other reason, since no record exists. There’s no mention of God's guidance regarding Israel passing through Edom. God's work does not follow the patterns or choices of worldly systems. Although the highway through Edom existed, that route was closed to Israel. Esau had not been allowed to harm Jacob for generations, and now Israel was not allowed to harm Edom.
Our choices have consequences that may not seem serious now, but future generations might have to face the negative results. When grudges form against someone, they rarely go away. That's why if I have an issue with someone, I will go to him and resolve it. Life already has enough challenges, and it's foolish to leave issues unsettled. Address and let go of problems so normal relations can be restored and life can continue smoothly.
When obstacles block your way and you can avoid conflict by choosing another path, take that route. Some conflicts are unavoidable, and others can be handled by stepping back from them. Open conflict is rarely worth the trouble it causes. It may seem cowardly to walk away and even harder to do, but "the servant of the Lord must not strive."
The journey to the south and east was much longer and seemed unnecessary, but it teaches us that sometimes the best thing to do when faced with a confrontation is to leave the matter in the Lord's hands and walk away. After all, “we are a pilgrim band in a foreign land who are marching from Calvary.”
The other two brothers, Moses and Aaron, also formed a family unit where the younger took the lead over the older. When Moses was called to his task, he couldn't do it without Aaron. Moses took the lead and made decisions based on God's direction, while Aaron served as the spokesman. There were times when Moses could not work with Aaron. Aaron was easily influenced by the pressures from those around him. Under pressure, he made the golden calf an idol to be worshiped, even while Moses was receiving the law from God on Mount Sinai. On another occasion, Aaron and Miriam openly opposed Moses’ leadership. Not all family matters are easy to handle, and differences of opinion are bound to happen. This is inevitable. How we handle such times requires grace on our part.
Aaron was a talented speaker who could support Moses with eloquence. However, he was less strong when facing opposition, pressure, and adversity. There is no way to avoid the need for grace in family life. Moses sometimes acted as Aaron's intercessor, but he never turned away his brother. Aaron appeared to possess qualities of grace that God valued, and so God appointed him as the high priest for the nation. He served as the people's representative to God and God's representative to the people. Usually, when Moses gave instructions to Aaron, he followed them. One person said, "It takes more grace than I can tell to play the second fiddle well."
Before Israel entered the promised land, Aaron died, likely because of his act of rebellion and because he was with Moses when he struck the rock twice. His relationship with Moses was generally one of honor, but in this case, neither of them honored God before the people. No matter what great things someone accomplishes in life, if God is not honored, serious consequences follow. Aaron symbolized grace, but when the flesh claims it belongs to God, grace is not visible. God's grace should be evident in those who serve and represent Him.
Aaron’s death was not a private matter. The public transfer of the high priesthood was evident when Moses took the priestly garments from Aaron and put them on Eleazar. This likely happened in a visible place so that all the congregation could see and recognize that Eleazar was the new high priest. It would not have been right to wait until Aaron died to remove the high priestly garments from him, as they would have become defiled and needed to be burned. The transfer of leadership is not something to keep hidden. Some matters must be made perfectly clear in public to avoid any confusion about who is leading the Lord's people. After Eleazar was publicly given the high priest's robes and assumed the office, Aaron died. It’s difficult to officiate the death of a family member, but it also honors the one who has led. The passing of someone who has guided God's people deserves respect from those they led, especially as they remember his life.
The social structure of a family originated in God's mind. This group of related people is introduced early in His written Word, and it is not something to take lightly. Family members share similar traits that God designed to create a variety of unique qualities, while also making each family a lasting social unit where we share our interests and live our lives with God.
The two brothers may have been very different, and their lifestyles were quite diverse. Isaac’s sons serve as an example. One was unruly and wild, while the other was subtle and perverse. Although they were twins, they didn't like each other very much, and their interests were very different. They even caused a rift between their father and mother. The conflict existed between them right from the start.
Two other brothers, Moses and Aaron, had different lives and upbringings. They were separated from a young age. They didn't face internal strife. What held them together in later years was their dedication to God and His truth. God, in His grace, used each of them in the way He chose to accomplish His divine plan. Each served God in their time, and both were honored men when they died.
Christians are all different, even though our spiritual family is united. God allows each believer to use their gifts for His glory. Some of us have different interests but share the same name. Each person's life and calling, regardless of where they are, is uniquely different. However, if we dedicate ourselves to the Lord to serve Him faithfully in the best way we can—doing what He chooses for us—and if we use the talents and gifts He gives us instead of hoarding them, it will be for His glory alone.