Numbers 20:14 - Meaning and Application

Here we see Israel asking the Edomites for passage through their land. The shortest route to Canaan from Israel’s camp ran through Edom. Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom with careful instructions about what to say, and those instructions were fair and respectful.

First, they were to remind Edom that Israel was their brother nation. “Your brother Israel” means both peoples came from Abraham and Isaac, their shared ancestors. Esau and Jacob, the fathers of Edom and Israel, were twin brothers. So Israel appealed to family ties and asked Edom not to fear any hidden plan or unfair advantage from them.

Second, the messengers were to give a brief account of Israel’s past and present condition, which Edom likely already knew. Israel had been mistreated by the Egyptians, so they asked for pity and help from their relatives. They also said they had cried out to the Lord, and he had sent his angel, the angel of his presence and covenant, to bring them out of Egypt and lead them on. Since God had so clearly favored Israel, Edom should have treated them kindly. It is wise and right to be kind to those whom God owns as his people, and to say, “Let me share in the blessing God gives you.”

Third, they were to humbly ask for permission to pass through Edom’s land. Even though God himself was guiding Israel by the pillar of cloud and fire, he still required them to respect Edom’s property. No one should use religion as a cover for taking over another person’s land. Ownership belongs to God’s providence, not to grace. In the same way, when Jesus was going through a Samaritan village that might reject him, he sent messengers ahead to ask leave to enter (Luke 9:52).

Fourth, the messengers were to promise good conduct. Israel would stay on the king’s highway, do no harm to fields or wells, and pay for any water they used. They would move through as quickly as their feet could carry them. Nothing in the request was unfair.

But Edom refused. The king of Edom said, “You shall not pass through me,” and when the messengers asked again, he repeated the refusal and came out against them with armed men. This refusal came partly from fear of Israel. Yet if Israel had been acting on its own, that fear might have made some sense. Under the rule of the righteous God, however, there was no reason for Edom to fear violence from a nation governed by such good laws. The deeper reason was the old hatred Esau had for Jacob. Esau had hated Jacob because of the blessing, and that old bitterness rose again when the blessing was about to be fully received.

God allowed this so Edom’s bad spirit would be exposed, and Israel’s good spirit would be shown. Israel turned away and did not use this insult as a reason to start a quarrel. We should not be surprised when unreasonable people refuse very fair requests, even when God is favoring the one who asks. Scripture later warns Israel not to hate an Edomite, even after this insult (Deuteronomy 23:7). That teaches us not to keep anger alive or look for revenge.