So let us pass through your land
Preaching Outline on Numbers 20:17 – “Let us pass through your land; we will not pass through the field, nor through the vineyards, nor drink the water of the wells; we will go by the royal road, we will not turn to the right or to the left, until we have passed through its borders.”
Introduction to Numbers 20:17
The life of a servant of God is a journey. A journey that begins the moment we meet Jesus and ends when we cross the portals of eternity. However, between these two points, there is a path to be traveled. And that path is not without its challenges, temptations and choices. The text of Numbers 20:17 offers us a powerful metaphor for understanding this journey. In it, we see the people of Israel asking permission to pass through the land of Edom, without touching its springs, without straying from the path and without contaminating themselves with what the world offers.
Like Israel, the Church of Christ is passing through this world. We don’t belong to it, but we need to get through it. And for that, we need wisdom, discernment and focus. In this sermon, we will use the metaphor of Israel’s journey through Edom to reflect on how the Church should walk in this world, without becoming contaminated by its values, without deviating from its purpose and without losing sight of the goal: eternity with Christ.
Development
1. Edom = World (The Church is passing through)
The land of Edom represents the world in which we live. Just as Israel did not own that land, the Church does not belong to this world. Jesus said: “If you were of the world, the world would love what was yours; but you are not of the world, but I chose you, taking you out of the world, so the world hates you” (John 15:19).
We’re just passing through. This world is not our final home. Our home is in heaven, where Christ is. That’s why we can’t cling to the things of this world or conform to its values. We need to live as pilgrims, with our eyes fixed on eternity.
2. It doesn’t touch its sources (What the world produces)
The people of Israel promised not to touch the fountains of Edom, in other words, not to appropriate what the world produces. In the same way, the Church must not feed on the fountains of the world. The world offers passing pleasures, ephemeral riches and distorted values. But these things do not satisfy the soul.
Jesus invites us to drink from a different source, the source that quenches the thirst of the soul. He said: “Whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never thirst. On the contrary, the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). The Church must feed on the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and communion with Christ. These are the sources that sustain us on our journey.
3. Does not touch its fruits (The Church does not feed on the things of the world)
Israel also promised not to touch the fruit of Edom. This reminds us that the Church must not feed on the things that the world offers. The world produces fruit that looks attractive but ultimately leads to death. Fruits such as materialism, immorality, greed and vanity.
The Church, however, feeds on the Living Bread that came down from heaven: Jesus Christ. He said: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger; he who believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). While the world offers rotten fruit, Jesus gives us true nourishment for the soul.
4. We will not turn to the right or to the left (The Church has a definite path)
Israel promised not to stray from the path, either to the right or to the left. This is a powerful image for the Church. In a world full of distractions and detours, we need to stay focused on the path God has given us.
Jesus is the way. He said: “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The Church doesn’t need to invent shortcuts or follow fads. We have God’s Revelation, His Word, which guides us into all truth.
5. Until we pass through his terms (Fulfilling Prophecy)
Israel had a clear goal: to pass through the borders of Edom and reach the Promised Land. In the same way, the Church has a goal: to fulfill the mission that God has entrusted to us and reach eternity.
Jesus called us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14). As we pass through this world, we have a mission to fulfill: to proclaim the Gospel, to make disciples and to glorify God in everything we do.
6. We’ll take the royal road (Jesus is the way to eternity)
The royal road was the main road, the safe road. For the Church, Jesus is the royal road. He is the way that leads to eternity. There is no other way, no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12).
While the world offers wide and attractive roads that lead to destruction, Jesus calls us to the narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). The Church must remain on this path, without deviating, without becoming contaminated, without losing focus.
7. Passes through the world, but is not part of it
Jesus prayed to the Father: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from evil. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:15-16). The Church is in the world, but it is not of the world. We are called to be different, to reflect the light of Christ in the midst of darkness.
This means living in holiness, in obedience to God’s Word. It means being salt and light, influencing the world without being influenced by it.
8. Sanctify them in the truth (God’s Word is the truth)
Jesus continued his prayer by saying: “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). Sanctification is an ongoing process, and it happens through the Word of God.
As we pass through this world, we need to feed on the Word, meditate on it and apply it to our lives. God’s Word purifies us, guides us and enables us to live in a way that glorifies Him.
Conclusion of Numbers 20:17
The Church’s journey through this world is challenging, but we are not alone. We have a guide: Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. We have a mission: to proclaim the Gospel and glorify God. And we have a promise: one day we will pass through the terms of this world and enter eternity with Christ.
In the meantime, we need to live as pilgrims, without clinging to the things of this world, without straying from the path and without losing sight of the goal. We need to be holy, as he is holy, and shine like lights in the midst of darkness.
Let us pass through your land. This is the cry of the Church. We don’t want to be contaminated by what the world has to offer. We just want to pass through, fulfill our mission and reach our eternal home.
What about you? Are you willing to walk the royal road, without deviating, without contaminating yourself, until you reach eternity with Christ? The decision is yours. The invitation is there. The way is open. All you have to do is follow Jesus.
Preaching Outline on Numbers 20:17 – “Let us pass through your land; we will not pass through the field, nor through the vineyards, nor drink the water of the wells; we will go by the royal road, we will not turn to the right or to the left, until we have passed through its borders.”
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