Deuteronomy 2 RIGHTS OF OTHERS The reason for thirty-eight years spent in the wilderness was the fault of the Israelites themselves, not the opposition of those who lived in the areas around. They were not to pick a fight with their ancient relatives, the children of Esau or the children of Lot. In fact, they were to pay for everything they used as they passed through the territory of Edom, Moab and Ammon. Common sense tells us that when we pass from one country to another or need to cross another person's property, we are obligated to get permission from them and submit to their laws and rights. Even though they may do things differently, or have expectations of us that seem extreme, it is our responsibility to adapt to their wishes. We do have choices. We can go back; we can go another way; or we can accept their demands. Their rights are in place and it is our place to accept those restrictions.
In times past, people have created a problem over a matter such as which side of a fence the boards should be nailed, or how close to the edge of the property line should a driveway go. For the sake of personal contentment and Christian testimony, we must respect the rights of those who live around us. There will be times when their expectations are unreasonable. Then it is up to us to decide if a project is important enough in the long view of things, to pursue it any farther.
Broken relationships can sometimes be mended when a respectful attitude toward the rights of others is shown even though it may seem unreasonable and silly to us. Often there are extenuating circumstances in another person's life that we know nothing about. Because of those, their reaction towards what seems a simple and uncomplicated matter to us, is a big matter to them. By acting justly, relationships can be maintained, or mended if necessary, in a reasonable way, even though a closeness may never come as a result.
There will be valleys to cross in our lives that cause us to pause and look for another way. In the case of Israel's journey, the Lord directed them to cross the valley. They were assured before they started down into the valley, that they would cross and come up on the other side. Some of the valley experiences of the people of God are very hard to bear. There may be significant losses to us in the darkness of a valley crossing. Pain, sorrow and tears are often experienced at such times in our lives. Others too will have similar times, and we may wonder if we should go to them at such times or just pray and leave them to God. As a general rule, the valley experiences of others, calls for our actual presence. Maybe not our words so much, but our compassion is needed. People have a right to expect that of us.
It is possible for the people of God to look on others as enemies just because they are not like us. The descendants of Esau were to be let alone by the descendants of Jacob and fully compensated for any benefits they received from the Edomites. They were to avoid the descendants of Moab and be cautious as they went by the area where the Ammonites lived, both of whom were descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew. We know full well that all who call themselves "Christians" are not true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. But to unnecessarily provoke them is not right for us. In the preaching of the Gospel, many who take the place of being Christians will oppose a clear presentation of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Such provocation should come from their response to the truth of God being presented to them, not from our attitude toward them. A plain message of the warnings and consequences of sin, and salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ, may stir a resentful conviction. That is the work of the Holy Spirit, not a reaction produced by men. A faithful message delivered in the power of the Spirit by a gracious person, with kindness and earnestness, cannot be justly condemned. The rights of the listener are not trampled on, but at the same time, the listeners are called upon to act on the rights of God "in whom they live and move, and have their being." God can save those who seem very unlikely to be saved according to our thinking.
The Israelites had to spend thirty-eight years wandering because of their own disobedience, so they had no right to act independently when it came to other people and their God-given rights. Our lives as believers will be what they should be when we submit to the will of God as each situation in life arises. We rebelled against God's authority. We resisted His commands. We willfully went our own ways. We made our own lives complicated. So, we don't have the right to condemn others for what they do, because we did the same things. But we do have the responsibility to show them what God says in His Word.
When we act consciously aware of the will of God, our lives will be less complicated and we will know when to draw near to others and when to avoid unnecessary contact. We will know what to defend and what to claim for ourselves. We will know what to give and what to take. The Israelites under Moses' leadership avoided some intertribal obstacles because God explained their rights and the reasons for them. In the case of Sihon, king of Hesbon, the retribution for his opposition came from God. God directed the children of Israel as to what to do. It was God who gave the victory through His people. He prepared them before they crossed into the promised land, for what He would expect from them in days and years to come, and He showed them what He was going to do through them.
We do not have the power in ourselves to defeat the enemies that surround us who are unseen and unknown. Our discernment is lacking when it comes to the hidden agendas of those who want nothing to do with God and His Gospel. Some who are opposed may be those who are looking for peace and don't know where to find it. Others may seem favorable but are subtle and want to undermine and defeat the work of God. All we need to do is fulfill what we know is God's will, and are told to do by divine authority. We can leave the outcome of such things to God. He knows the end from the beginning. It is up to us to follow Him with our whole heart and mind, and be conscious of the fact that He is going ahead of us. It may be that circumstances will alter our plans. Sometimes wise advice given by those who are closer to a situation or place will be God's means of guiding our actions. In our contract with God in which we have died to ourselves and live unto Him, it is important that we understand who leads and who follows. His plans are the ones we act on. It is His divine purposes that we are going to be fulfilled. He is allowing us to share in His work now, and He will allow us to share in His glory later.