So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them. So Edom refusedThe name "Edom" is derived from the Hebrew word "אֱדוֹם" (Edom), meaning "red." This name is associated with Esau, the brother of Jacob, who was known for his red appearance at birth and his red stew. Historically, Edom was a nation descended from Esau, and their refusal to allow Israel passage is rooted in the longstanding familial conflict between Esau and Jacob. This refusal highlights the deep-seated animosity and unresolved tensions that can persist through generations, reminding us of the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness. to allow Israel
"Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. The nation of Israel, at this point in the narrative, is on a divinely guided journey to the Promised Land. The mention of "Israel" here underscores their identity as God's chosen people, set apart for a unique purpose. This moment in their journey is a test of faith and patience, as they face obstacles and opposition from surrounding nations. to pass through their territory
The phrase "pass through their territory" indicates a request for safe passage along the King's Highway, a major trade route in the ancient Near East. This route was crucial for travel and commerce, and controlling it was a significant source of power for Edom. The refusal to grant passage is not merely a denial of hospitality but a strategic decision to maintain control and security over their land. This highlights the geopolitical realities of the time and the challenges Israel faced in their journey. and Israel turned away from them
The action of "turned away" signifies a decision to avoid conflict and seek an alternative path. This response reflects a moment of obedience and trust in God's provision, as Israel chooses not to engage in battle with Edom. It is a testament to the leadership of Moses and the guidance of God, who directs His people even when the path is not straightforward. This decision to turn away can inspire us to seek peace and trust in God's plan, even when faced with rejection or opposition. Persons / Places / Events 1. EdomA nation descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. The Edomites lived in the region south of the Dead Sea. Their refusal to let Israel pass through their land is a significant event in Israel's wilderness journey. 2. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Jacob. At this point in their history, they are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land. 3. MosesThe leader of Israel, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He is the one who communicates with Edom on behalf of Israel. 4. KadeshA location in the wilderness where Israel camped. It is from here that Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom. 5. The King's HighwayAn ancient trade route that Israel requested to use for passage through Edom. It was a direct and established path that would have facilitated their journey. Teaching Points Respect for BoundariesThe refusal of Edom to allow passage teaches us about respecting the boundaries and decisions of others, even when they seem inconvenient or unfair. Trust in God's ProvisionDespite the setback, Israel had to trust in God's provision and guidance. We are reminded to trust God when our plans are thwarted. Historical Enmity and ReconciliationThe conflict between Israel and Edom is rooted in historical enmity. This challenges us to seek reconciliation and peace in our relationships, breaking cycles of animosity. God's SovereigntyGod's instructions regarding Edom in other scriptures remind us of His sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His commands, even when they involve difficult relationships. Perseverance in FaithIsrael's journey was filled with obstacles, yet they continued to move forward. This encourages us to persevere in our faith journey, trusting that God will lead us to our destination. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the refusal of Edom to allow Israel passage reflect the historical relationship between the two nations, and what can we learn about dealing with long-standing conflicts? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of respecting boundaries in our personal and professional lives? 3. How does the account of Israel's journey through the wilderness encourage us to trust in God's provision when our plans do not go as expected? 4. What steps can we take to break cycles of animosity and seek reconciliation in our relationships, drawing from the example of Israel and Edom? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty in the context of Israel's journey help us to navigate our own challenges and setbacks? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 25:29-34The origin of the conflict between Israel and Edom can be traced back to Jacob and Esau, the twin brothers. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, which led to a long-standing enmity between their descendants. Deuteronomy 2:4-6God instructs Israel not to provoke Edom because He has given Mount Seir to Esau's descendants. This highlights God's sovereignty and the respect for boundaries He established. Obadiah 1:10-14The prophet Obadiah speaks against Edom for their violence against their brother Jacob, showing the ongoing tension and eventual judgment against Edom. People Aaron, Egyptians, Eleazar, Israelites, Miriam, MosesPlaces Edom, Egypt, Kadesh-barnea, King's Highway, Meribah, Mount Hor, ZinTopics Allow, Aside, Border, Direction, Edom, Pass, Passage, Refused, Refuseth, Suffer, Territory, Thus, Turneth, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 20:20 4831 largeness Library August 17. "Speak Ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8).
"Speak ye unto the Rock" (Num. xx. 8). The Holy Ghost is very sensitive, as love always is. You can conquer a wild beast by blows and chains, but you cannot conquer a woman's heart that way, or win the love of a sensitive nature; that must be wooed by the delicate touches of trust and affection. So the Holy Ghost has to be taken by a faith as delicate and sensitive as the gentle heart with whom it is coming in touch. One thought of unbelief, one expression of impatient distrust or fear, will instantly …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Waters of Meribah
'Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there. 2. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. 3. And the people chode with Moses, and spake, saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the Lord! 4. And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Kadesh. Rekam, and that Double. Inquiry is Made, Whether the Doubling it in the Maps is Well Done.
The readers of the eastern interpreters will observe, that Kadesh is rendered by all Rekam, or in a sound very near it. In the Chaldee, it is 'Rekam': in the Syriac, 'Rekem': in the Arabic, 'Rakim'... There are two places noted by the name Rekam in the very bounds of the land,--to wit, the southern and eastern: that is, a double Kadesh. I. Of Kadesh, or Rekam, in the south part, there is no doubt. II. Of it, in the eastern part, there is this mention: "From Rekam to the east, and Rekam is as the …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Baptist's Inquiry and Jesus' Discourse Suggested Thereby.
(Galilee.) ^A Matt. XI. 2-30; ^C Luke VII. 18-35. ^c 18 And the disciples of John told him of all these things. ^a 2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent by his disciples ^c 19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them unto the Lord [John had been cast into prison about December, a.d. 27, and it was now after the Passover, possibly in May or June, a.d. 28. Herod Antipas had cast John into prison because John had reproved him for taking his brother's wife. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Epistle xxviii. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [136] . Gregory to Augustine, &c. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good will (Luke ii. 14); because a grain of wheat, falling into the earth, has died, that it might not reign in heaven alone; even He by whose death we live, by whose weakness we are made strong, by whose suffering we are rescued from suffering, through whose love we seek in Britain for brethren whom we knew not, by whose gift we find those whom without knowing them we sought. …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Peræa to Bethany. Raising of Lazarus.
^D John XI. 1-46. ^d 1 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [For Bethany and the sisters, see p. 478.] 2 And it was that Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair [John xii. 3 ], whose brother Lazarus was sick. [The anointing had not yet taken place, as John himself shows. For a similar anticipation see Matt. x. 4. There are five prominent Marys in the New Testament: those of Nazareth, Magdala and Bethany; the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 20:21 NIVNumbers 20:21 NLTNumbers 20:21 ESVNumbers 20:21 NASBNumbers 20:21 KJV
Numbers 20:21 Commentaries
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