And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
Edom denied Israel permission to cross its territory and warned that any attempt to force passage would be met with armed force. That threatening refusal did not come in isolation, for Israel had delayed in making its request, and had the people trusted God and acted promptly the host of the Lord would have gone before them, while Edom's fear of Israel would have moved its people to show favor rather than hostility. With peaceful passage thus made impossible, Israel was shut out from the direct way and compelled to take the long, difficult route around Edom by the Red Sea.
Even under that rebuff Israel did not retaliate and did no harm to Edom or to its possessions. The passage as God intended it was to bless both peoples, giving Edom the opportunity to learn about God and His worship and to see how He prospers those who love and fear Him. Israel's unbelief forfeited that opportunity and turned the people back to the desert and to the miraculous spring for water.
Edom denied Israel permission to cross its territory and warned that any attempt to force passage would be met with armed force. That threatening refusal did not come in isolation, for Israel had delayed in making its request, and had the people trusted God and acted promptly the host of the Lord would have gone before them, while Edom's fear of Israel would have moved its people to show favor rather than hostility. With peaceful passage thus made impossible, Israel was shut out from the direct way and compelled to take the long, difficult route around Edom by the Red Sea.
Even under that rebuff Israel did not retaliate and did no harm to Edom or to its possessions. The passage as God intended it was to bless both peoples, giving Edom the opportunity to learn about God and His worship and to see how He prospers those who love and fear Him. Israel's unbelief forfeited that opportunity and turned the people back to the desert and to the miraculous spring for water.