Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
Edom refused to let Israel pass through its border, so Israel turned away from him. Turning away meant taking a longer, difficult route by the Red Sea, crossing the desert again. Israel did not retaliate with hostility or do any harm to Edom, its neighbors, or its possessions. Edom's refusal contrasts with the later refusal of the Amorite king, who gathered an army against Israel and consequently lost his land.
Israel's unbelief contributed to the refusal, as delaying the request while complaining and murmuring let a favorable opportunity pass and blocked the journey God had intended. Had Israel trusted God and acted promptly on His word, He would have led them through Edom and its people would have shown them favor rather than hostility. Passing through would have blessed both peoples by letting the Edomites become acquainted with Israel, learn to worship God, and see how He prospers those who love and fear Him. Because Israel failed to trust, they had to cross the desert again and drink from the miraculously provided spring, which they would not have needed had they trusted.
Edom refused to let Israel pass through its border, so Israel turned away from him. Turning away meant taking a longer, difficult route by the Red Sea, crossing the desert again. Israel did not retaliate with hostility or do any harm to Edom, its neighbors, or its possessions. Edom's refusal contrasts with the later refusal of the Amorite king, who gathered an army against Israel and consequently lost his land.
Israel's unbelief contributed to the refusal, as delaying the request while complaining and murmuring let a favorable opportunity pass and blocked the journey God had intended. Had Israel trusted God and acted promptly on His word, He would have led them through Edom and its people would have shown them favor rather than hostility. Passing through would have blessed both peoples by letting the Edomites become acquainted with Israel, learn to worship God, and see how He prospers those who love and fear Him. Because Israel failed to trust, they had to cross the desert again and drink from the miraculously provided spring, which they would not have needed had they trusted.