Numbers 20:17-21: a reflection

17“Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink from the water of the wells. We will go along the king’s highway. We will not turn away to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed your border.” 18Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.” 19The children of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price. Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.” 20He said, “You shall not pass through.” Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand. 21Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.

As Israel journeys toward the promised land, they ask Edom for passage through his territory, promising to keep to the highway, to touch no field or vineyard, to pay for any water they drink. But Edom refuses, and comes out with a strong force to block the way. And notice Israel's response: rather than force their way through against Edom, a kindred nation, they turned away and took another route. They chose to avoid the fight, to go the longer way around, rather than force a confrontation.

Notice Israel's restraint: they turned aside rather than forcing their way through. They had asked reasonably, offered to pay, promised to do no harm; and when Edom refused and blocked the way, they did not fight to force passage, but turned away and went around. They chose the longer, harder road over a confrontation with a kindred people. Rather than insist on their way and force the issue, they yielded the point and took another route, avoiding the fight.

That restraint, choosing to turn aside rather than force a confrontation, is worth taking to heart, for we can be quick to force our way when we are refused or blocked. When someone refuses us, or stands in our way, the impulse can be to force the issue, to insist on our way, to fight through; but Israel turned aside and took the longer road rather than force a confrontation with Edom. There are times when it is wiser to turn aside, to take the longer way, to yield the point, than to force a fight. When you are refused or blocked, do not always force your way through; consider whether it is wiser to turn aside, as Israel turned away from Edom rather than fighting for passage. Not every refusal must be met with a fight; sometimes the wiser and more peaceable course is to take the longer road, to turn aside rather than force a confrontation, as Israel yielded the point and went around rather than fight their kindred for the right of way.

Lord, as Israel journeyed toward the promised land, they asked Edom for passage, promising to keep to the highway, to touch no field or vineyard, to pay for any water. But Edom refused, and came out with a strong force to block the way. And notice Israel's response: rather than force their way through against a kindred nation, they turned away and took another route. They chose to avoid the fight, to go the longer way around. Show me Israel's restraint: they turned aside rather than forcing their way through. They had asked reasonably, offered to pay, promised no harm; and when Edom refused, they did not fight to force passage, but turned away and went around. Rather than insist on their way and force the issue, they yielded the point and took another route. Take that restraint to my heart, for I can be quick to force my way when I am refused or blocked. When someone refuses me, or stands in my way, the impulse can be to force the issue, to insist on my way, to fight through; but Israel turned aside and took the longer road. There are times when it is wiser to turn aside, to take the longer way, to yield the point, than to force a fight. When I am refused or blocked, keep me from always forcing my way through; help me consider whether it is wiser to turn aside, as Israel turned away from Edom. Not every refusal must be met with a fight, Lord; help me choose the more peaceable course when I should.