Chapter 38—Why the Long Journey Around Edom
This chapter is based on
Numbers 20:14-29
;
21:1-9
.
The encampment of Israel at Kadesh was but a short distance
from the borders of Edom, and both Moses and the people greatly
desired to follow the route through this country to the Promised Land.
Accordingly they sent a message to the Edomite king:
“Thus saith thy brother Israel, ... behold, we are in Kadesh, a city
in the uttermost of thy border. Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy
country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards,
neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king’s
highway, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we
have passed thy borders.”
To this courteous request, a threatening refusal was returned:
“Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the
sword.”
The leaders of Israel sent a second appeal to the king, with the
promise, “We will go by the highway; and if I and my cattle drink of
thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing else, go
through on my feet.”
“Thou shalt not go through,” was the answer. Armed bands of
Edomites were already posted at the difficult passes, and the Hebrews
were forbidden to resort to force. They must make the long journey
around the land of Edom.
Had the people trusted in God, the Captain of the Lord’s host would
have led them through Edom. The inhabitants of the land, instead of
manifesting hostility, would have shown them favor. But the Israelites
did not act promptly upon God’s word, and the golden opportunity
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passed. When they were at last ready to present their request to the
king, it was refused. Ever since they left Egypt, Satan had been at work
to throw hindrances in their way that they might not inherit Canaan.
And by their own unbelief they had repeatedly opened the door for
him.
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