And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword. And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet. And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him(Num. 20:18-21).
Today’s reading covers a lot of material. First, we are given information on the sacrifice of the red heifer, which is symbolic of the final, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord. Next, we read of the deaths of Miriam (Num. 20:1) and Aaron (20:25-29), and we suffer along with Moses as we read of God’s devastating pronouncement of judgment that barred him from entering into the Promised Land (20:23-24). In between these events, God saw fit to record the Israelites' dealings with the small but strong nation of Edom.
Even in the wilderness, the reputation of the Israelites preceded them (Josh. 2:10). The power of their God was not easily understood and was, therefore, frightening to outsiders. Many of those they encountered during their journey were hesitant to allow them access to their lands. When they arrived at the border of Edom, though, they had high hopes of a better welcome.
After the death of his father Isaac, Esau had left his father’s lands and settled in Edom, a rocky country near Mount Seir, known today as Petra. As descendants of Esau, the Edomites were blood-brothers to the Israelites, who were descendants of Jacob, his twin. The Israelites approached the border of Edom as kinsmen, seeking understanding and safe passage. Despite the familial ties, the king immediately denied them entrance. And he said, Thou shalt not go through. No matter what promises Moses made ensuring that they would pass through the land without molesting it, the king refused to be swayed. He even went so far as to mobilize his people for war to encourage the Israelites to move off.
Ultimately, Moses led his people another way, and the encounter ended without bloodshed on either side. Nevertheless, the nation of Edom had been mortally wounded, although they did not realize it at that time. In turning away God’s chosen people, they had turned away God and reaffirmed Esau’s thoughtless dismissal of his birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob (Gen. 25:32-33). By rejecting brotherhood in favor of enmity, they turned away their best chance of ever reconciling with the God of their forefathers. Centuries later, the Lord pronounced their final doom.
Therefore thus saith the Lord God; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword. And I will lay My vengeance upon Edom by the hand of My people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance, saith the Lord God(Ezek. 25:13-14).
Thought For TodayOne cannot maintain a relationship with God while ignoring, denying, or distancing themselves from the rest of His children.
Word Studies19:2 spot = defect; 19:6 hyssop = husky plant designated for purging and cleansing; 19:10 stranger = foreigner; 20:3 chode = expressed anger; 20:10 fetch = bring; 20:11 smote = struck; 20:12 sanctify Me = hold Me in reverential honor; 20:13 strove = contended.
Christ Revealed:Through the rock that Moses struck (Num. 20:8-11; also Ex. 17:6). Christ, our Rock, who was struck once through His death on the cross, does not need to be struck again. That spiritual Rock that followed (accompanied) them and that Rock was Christ (I Cor. 10:4).
Pray For Staff:Gilbert Palafox • Government Officials: Sen. Mark Kelly (AZ), Rep. Scott DesJarlais (TN) • Country: Sint Maarten (39,689) Caribbean • Major Languages: English, Spanish • Religious Freedom • 39% Catholic; 44.8% Protestant; 6.7% None; 5.4% Other; 3.4% Jewish; 0.7% Not Reported • Prayer Suggestion: Fast, sanctify yourself, and unite in prayer with others as you cry unto the Lord (Joel 1:14).
Optional Reading:Luke 8