Observation: Israel and Edom are kin, the two people descended from twin brothers Jacob and Esau. After all this time wandering, Israel makes a simple request ... to take a shorter route northward to their destination but cutting through Edom along the defined trade highway, a route used by many strangers daily. Not only does the King of Edom deny them passage, but he threatens them with war if they try.
Jacob and Esau - though they had major differences growing up - had departed from each other on good terms. In fact, when they last met in Genesis, Esau was heading toward this land southeast of the Dead Sea along with thousands of people to found their people-group, and asked Jacob to join him. Now, his descendants refuse to even just allow Jacob's people to cross the land. It is this rejection and refusal to simply be kind to Israel, that will set the two nations at odds for centuries to come. Edom will always be the lesser of the nations and will eventually be removed from existence, because they would rather make effort to create a hardship for Israel than do nothing in a manner that would seem kind.
Application: I do this. I will sometimes make an effort to be rude to someone because I believe I have some right that is being imposed upon, when the truth of the matter is that if I simply smiled and ignore the situation, it would be consider kind by that person, and much easier for me.
Why I do this, I don't know. I want to be kinder to others ... can I learn that sometimes kindness is as simple as not making the extra effort to be unkind?
Prayer: Lord, I do in fact wish to be kinder and gentler toward others, and to love others more and more. I see this can begin as simply as not being mean, rude, or angry toward others, and taking the time and energy to act on those negative feelings. May I not be Edom anymore. Amen.
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