seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Numbers 20:14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying:
“This is what your brother Israel says: You know about all the hardships that have come on us. 15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors, 16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt.
“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. 17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”
18 But Edom answered:
“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”
19 The Israelites replied:
“We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.”
20 Again they answered:
“You may not pass through.”
Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.
Here's the link to the commentary I use.Right after this confrontation with the Edomites, Aaron passes away. He was Moses' brother. He was the first High Priest to serve God in the Tent of Meeting. He was the mouthpiece of God through Moses. His son Eleazar took his place in the Tent of Meeting. The people will mourn him for 30 days.
Remember, God said those who were in charge when the Israelites refused to enter the Promised Land because they were afraid of giants, would die before going into the land. Miriam died... and now Aaron... that only leaves Moses.... and it's been just about 40 years... So, Moses is next.
And now back to the current study....
The Edomites were descendants of Esau. Moses, and company, were descendants of Jacob. Esau vowed to murder Jacob for stealing his birthright and blessings. Jacob tricked Esau from the beginning. Esau vowed to murder Jacob... and the descendants were still angry.
It was the family feud that stopped the Nation of Israel from going through the land.
Moses asked permission... he sent his petition by messenger... and it was denied. He asked permission again.... he sent his petition by messenger... even offered to pay.... and it was denied.
Then the Edomites sent an armed guard to the border... and Moses with his group of over a million Israelites, their slaves, and their livestock turned away.
Can you really blame the Edomites for not letting the Israelites pass? There were over a million people in that bunch of refugees. That's a lot of mouths to feed and water to provide. Some of them would lag behind... Then there would be Israelites taking all the jobs and stealing all the food and ruining all the grass. Can you really blame the Edomites for sending the Armed Guard to stop them from entering?
The King of Edom called out the Border Guard!
