After 38 long years, the Israelites were finally ready for their last march toward the promised land of Canaan. Their plan was to peacefully cross through their brother nation, Edom, offering payment for any services.
Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, “Thus says your brother Israel:
You know all the adversity that has befallen us, how our ancestors went down to Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time, and the Egyptians oppressed us and our ancestors,
And when we cried to the Lord, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt, and here we are in Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.
Now let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or vineyard or drink water from any well; we will go along the King’s Highway, not turning aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed through your territory” (Numbers 20:14-17).
They intended to travel the King’s Highway, with Edom being the first nation they would encounter. Moses, ever diplomatic, sent messengers from the camp to request passage. His words were carefully chosen to elicit a positive response.
- He referred to Edom as a brother,
- Recounted the Hebrews’ trials in Egypt and their wilderness journey,
- Highlighted the Lord’s deliverance.
- He described their current situation and respectfully asked for permission to pass through Edom’s land,
- He assured they would neither forage nor deviate from the path.
Edom’s Response
Verses 18-21 recount the interaction between Moses’ representatives and the Edomites.
A tense exchange unfolded between Edom and Moses. Edom issued a clear threat: “You shall not pass through, or we will fight you.”
In response, the messengers, speaking for Moses, assured them, “We will stay on the highway. We will even pay if we drink your water. Please, just let us pass through on foot.”
But the King of Edom remained unyielding, reiterating, “You shall not pass through.” He then gathered a formidable army to block their way. With no other option, Israel was forced to turn back.
Reflections
It’s been over 50 years, yet I can still recall one of my seminary professors preaching in one of our chapel services. His text was from Matthew 21.
Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.
Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive” (Matthew 21:21-22).
After reading the passage, Dr. Schwartz addressed an assembly of professors and students. “When you speak to the mountain in faith and it doesn’t move, what do you do?”
After a moment of silence, he answered, “You dig, because in that mountain you will find gold.”
Dr. Swartz shared a journey similar to that of the Israelites, moving toward a promised land but encountering significant obstacles.
He and his wife had a disabled daughter who required considerable time and financial resources. To help support her, Dr. Swartz took up acting, landing small television roles to supplement their income.
Although he never explicitly stated his daughter was the “gold” he sought, it became clear to me that she was.
While he may not have reached the idealized promised land he once envisioned, through this challenging journey, he discovered the true treasure God had for him. As his wife and he cared for their daughter, God developed in them a character that reflected a Jesus-kind-of-life.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 