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ample provision for His people； and if they rely upon His strength； they
will never become the sport of circumstances。 The strongest temptation
cannot excuse sin。 However great the pressure brought to bear upon the soul；
transgression is our own act。 It is not in the power of earth or hell to
compel anyone to do evil。 Satan attacks us at our weak points； but we need
not be overcome。 However severe or unexpected the assault； God has provided
help for us； and in His strength we may conquer。
（422）
Chapter 38
The Journey Around Edom
The encampment of Israel at Kadesh was but a short distance from the borders
of Edom； and both Moses and the people greatly desired to follow the route
through this country to the Promised Land； accordingly they sent a message；
as God had directed them； to the Edomite king
〃Thus saith thy brother Israel； Thou knowest all the travail that hath
befallen us： how our fathers went down into Egypt； and we have dwelt in
Egypt a long time； and the Egyptians vexed us； and our fathers： and when we
cried unto the Lord； He heard our voice； and sent an Angel； and hath brought
us forth out of Egypt： and； behold； we are in Kadesh； a city in the
uttermost of thy border。 Let us pass； I pray thee； through thy country： we
will not pass through the fields； or through the vineyards； neither will we
drink of the water of the wells： we will go by the king's highway； we will
not turn to the right hand nor to the left； until we have passed thy
borders。〃
To this courteous request a threatening refusal was returned： 〃Thou shalt
not pass by me； lest I come out against thee with the sword。〃
Surprised at this repulse； the leaders of Israel sent a second appeal to the
king； with the promise； 〃We will go by the highway： and if I and my cattle
drink of thy water； then I will pay for it： I will only； without doing
anything else； go through on my feet。〃
〃Thou shalt not go through；〃 was the answer。 Armed bands of Edomites were
already posted at the difficult passes； so that any peaceful advance in that
direction was impossible； and the Hebrews were forbidden to resort to force。
They must make the long journey around the land of Edom。
Had the people； when brought into trial； trusted in God； the Captain of the
Lord's host would have led them through Edom；
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and the fear of them would have rested upon the inhabitants of the land； so
that； instead of manifesting hostility； they would have shown them favor。
But the Israelites did not act promptly upon God's word； and while they were
complaining and murmuring； the golden opportunity passed。 When they were at
last ready to present their request to the king； it was refused。 Ever since
they left Egypt； Satan had been steadily at work to throw hindrances and
temptations in their way； that they might not inherit Canaan。 And by their
own unbelief they had repeatedly opened the door for him to resist the
purpose of God。
It is important to believe God's word and act upon it promptly； while His
angels are waiting to work for us。 Evil angels are ready to contest every
step of advance。 And when God's providence bids His children go forward；
when He is ready to do great things for them。 Satan tempts them to displease
the Lord by hesitation and delay； he seeks to kindle a spirit of strife or
to arouse murmuring or unbelief； and thus deprive them of the blessings that
God desired to bestow。 God's servants should be minutemen； ever ready to
move as fast as His providence opens the way。 And delay on their part gives
time for Satan to work to defeat them。
In the directions first given to Moses concerning their passage through
Edom； after declaring that the Edomites should be afraid of Israel； the Lord
had forbidden His people to make use of this advantage against them。 Because
the power of God was engaged for Israel； and the fears of the Edomites would
make them an easy prey； the Hebrews were not therefore to prey upon them。
The command given them was； 〃Take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore：
meddle not with them； for I will not give you of their land； no； not so much
as a foot breadth； because I have given Mount Seir unto Esau for a
possession。〃 Deuteronomy 2：4； 5。 The Edomites were descendants of Abraham
and Isaac； and for the sake of these His servants； God had shown favor to
the children of Esau。 He had given them Mount Seir for a possession； and
they were not to be disturbed unless by their sins they should place
themselves beyond the reach of His mercy。 The Hebrews were to dispossess and
utterly destroy the inhabitants of Canaan； who had filled up the measure of
their iniquity but the Edomites were still probationers； and as such were to
be mercifully dealt with。 God delights in mercy； and He manifests His
compassion before He inflicts His judgments。 He
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teaches Israel to spare the people of Edom； before requiring them to destroy
the inhabitants of Canaan。
The ancestors of Edom and Israel were brothers； and brotherly kindness and
courtesy should exist between them。 The Israelites were forbidden； either
then or at any future time； to revenge the affront given them in the refusal
of passage through the land。 They must not expect to possess any part of the
land of Edom。 While the Israelites were the chosen and favored people of
God； they must heed the restrictions which He placed upon them。 God had
promised them a goodly inheritance； but they were not to feel that they
alone had any rights in the earth； and seek to crowd out all others。 They
were directed； in all their intercourse with the Edomites； to beware of
doing them injustice。 They were to trade with them； buying such supplies as
were needed； and promptly paying for all they received。 As an encouragement
to Israel to trust in God and obey His word they were reminded； 〃The Lord
thy God hath blessed thee； 。 。 。 thou hast lacked nothing。〃 Deuteronomy 2：7。
They were not dependent upon the Edomites； for they had a God rich in
resources。 They must not by force or fraud seek to obtain anything
pertaining to them； but in all their intercourse they should exemplify the
principle of the divine law； 〃Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself。〃
Had they in this manner passed through Edom； as God had purposed； the
passage would have proved a blessing； not only to themselves； but to the
inhabitants of the land； for it would have given them an opportunity to
become acquainted with God's people and His worship and to witness how the
God of Jacob prospered those who loved and feared Him。 But all this the
unbelief of Israel had prevented。 God had given the people water in answer
to their clamors； but He permitted their unbelief to work out its
punishment。 Again they must traverse the desert and quench their thirst from
the miraculous spring； which； had they but trusted in Him； they would no
longer have needed。
Accordingly the hosts of Israel again turned toward the south； and made
their way over sterile wastes； that seemed even more dreary after a glimpse
of the green spots among the hills