WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Numbers 20:14,17-18,21

While Moses was at Kadesh, he sent ambassadors to the king of Edom with this message:“This is what your relatives, the people of Israel, say: You know all the hardships we have been through.
Please let us travel through your land. We will be careful not to go through your fields and vineyards. We won’t even drink water from your wells. We will stay on the king’s road and never leave it until we have passed through your territory.”
But the king of Edom said, “Stay out of my land, or I will meet you with an army!”
Because Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their country, Israel was forced to turn around.

Why would the king of Edom not allow the children of Israel pass through his land? We can begin to understand this when we look at the background of Edom, who were they?

Genesis 25:30
Esau said to Jacob, “I’m starved! Give me some of that red stew!” (This is how Esau got his other name, Edom, which means “red.”)

Genesis 36:1
This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom).

The Edomites were descendants of Esau, do we remember the trouble between Jacob, who became Israel and Esau(Edom), how Jacob seemed to have cheated him of his birthright?

Two reasons can be deduced on why the Edomites refused the Israelites passage. It could be because of the memory of what Jacob seemed to have done to Esau. The second which is more probable is that the Edomites were afraid that the Israelites will take over their land!

We must note that the land of Edom was not part of the land promised to the children of Israel, however they could easily pass through Edom to get to the land.

No matter the reason there was no love lost between Israel and Edom.

I always say that there are things that one cannot determine in life, they include who your siblings, children or parents would be. So no matter the outcome you get to decide how you walk with them as time goes on. However, there are those you chose yourselves these include your friends.

We must then be careful of our relationship with people and know which will turn out to be a blessing to us. The book of Proverbs records:

Proverbs 18:24
There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Many of us have experienced disappointing relationships with our relatives, I personally have witnessed in a great measure, however that does not mean that many have not experienced great help and love from their relatives.

Some are wickedly holding on to grievances that were porported to have originated years before the were born. Some of these events are most times not true, but an outcome of misinformation and bad communication.

We must thrive to be at peace with all men as scripture teaches. The best place to start is to be the good person, for that is what you can control, you cannot control what others will do.

Romans 12:18
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

The Israelites had to turn back to find another way, when their own relatives refused to give them passage, knowing all the troubles they went through.

No matter the rejection or barrier we face, we must understand that our help does not really come from man but from the Lord. We stay focused on Him who can make all things work for us.

Hebrews 13:5b
“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”

Our trust in God should not wither, no matter the situation, we must know that His love is on us and therefore He can do all things for us.

We will yet win.

Glory to God forevermore.

PRAYER
Lord thank You for always being there for me. Humans can fail me but not You Lord. You are always there for me. Glory to Your name Lord. I continue to prosper and increase in all good things. All is well with me and mine. Halleluyah.

He calls us blessed.

Love
@the watcher.