Deuteronomy 2:1-6: a reflection

1Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as the LORD spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days. 2The LORD spoke to me, saying, 3“You have encircled this mountain long enough. Turn northward. 4Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful. 5Don’t contend with them; for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession. 6You shall purchase food from them for money, that you may eat. You shall also buy water from them for money, that you may drink.’”

As Israel journeys toward the promised land, they pass near the territory of Edom, the descendants of Esau, their kin. And God gives a clear instruction: do not contend with them for their land. I will not give you any of their land, God says, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession. Instead, Israel is to buy food and water from them for money. God had given Seir to Esau, and Israel was not to encroach on it, not to take by force what God had assigned to another, but to respect Edom's rightful, God-given portion, dealing fairly with them rather than seizing what was theirs.

Notice the instruction: respect what God has given to another, do not encroach on it. God had given Seir to Esau's descendants; it was their portion, assigned by God. And Israel, though on the march and needing provision, was not to take Edom's land, not to encroach on what God had given another, but to respect it, buying food and water rather than seizing them. What God had assigned to Edom was not Israel's to take, however much Israel might have wanted it. God's assignment of a portion to another was to be respected, not overridden by Israel's desire or strength. Israel was to leave Edom its God-given portion and deal fairly with them, not encroaching on what was theirs.

That is worth taking to heart, for we are to respect what God has given to others, not encroaching on their portion. We can be tempted to encroach on what belongs to others, to want and take what God has given to someone else, to override their rightful portion by our desire or strength; but Israel was told not to take Edom's land, to respect what God had given them. What God has assigned to another is not ours to seize. Do not encroach on what God has given to others, coveting or taking their rightful portion; respect it, as Israel was to respect Edom's land. Respect what God has given to others rather than encroaching on their portion, as Israel was told not to take Edom's land but to buy food and water because God had given Seir to Esau; for what God has assigned to another is not ours to seize, and we do well to respect others' rightful, God-given portion rather than overriding it by our own desire or strength.

Lord, as Israel journeys toward the promised land, they pass near the territory of Edom, the descendants of Esau, their kin. And you give a clear instruction: do not contend with them for their land. I will not give you any of their land, you say, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession. Instead, Israel is to buy food and water from them for money. You had given Seir to Esau, and Israel was not to encroach on it, but to respect Edom's rightful, God-given portion. Show me the instruction: respect what you have given to another, do not encroach on it. You had given Seir to Esau's descendants; it was their portion, assigned by you. And Israel, though on the march and needing provision, was not to take Edom's land, not to encroach on what you had given another, but to respect it. What you had assigned to Edom was not Israel's to take, however much Israel might have wanted it. Your assignment of a portion to another was to be respected. Take that to my heart, for I am to respect what you have given to others, not encroaching on their portion. I can be tempted to encroach on what belongs to others, to want and take what you have given to someone else, to override their rightful portion by my desire or strength; but Israel was told not to take Edom's land. What you have assigned to another is not mine to seize. Keep me from encroaching on what you have given to others, coveting or taking their rightful portion; help me respect it, Lord, as Israel was to respect Edom's land, rather than overriding it by my own desire or strength.