“And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us.”
This verse is found in the book of Numbers, which is the fourth book of the Old Testament. It is a part of the narrative that describes the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. In this particular passage, Moses sends messengers from the wilderness of Kadesh to the king of Edom, seeking permission to pass through their land.
The context leading up to this verse is important to understand the significance of Moses’ message to the king of Edom. The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for many years, and during this time, they encountered numerous challenges and trials. They had recently mourned the death of Miriam, Moses’ sister, and were experiencing a scarcity of water.
In the preceding verses (Numbers 20:2-13), the Israelites complained to Moses and Aaron about the lack of water. God instructed Moses to take his staff, gather the assembly, and speak to a rock in the presence of the people, and water would come out of it. However, instead of following God’s specific instructions, Moses struck the rock twice in frustration, which led to water gushing forth. Due to this act, God pronounced a punishment on Moses and Aaron, saying that they would not be allowed to bring the people into the Promised Land.
Following this incident, Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. These messengers delivered a message from Moses to the king, referring to the Israelites as the king’s “brother Israel.” The message reminded the king of Edom of the hardships and troubles that the Israelites had faced throughout their journey. Moses sought permission to pass through Edom’s territory peacefully, assuring the king that they would stay on the main road and not wander into the fields or vineyards.
It’s important to note that the Edomites were descendants of Esau, the twin brother of Jacob (who was later named Israel). Therefore, Moses referred to the Israelites as the “brother” of the Edomites, emphasizing their familial connection. However, the king of Edom denied Moses’ request and refused to let the Israelites pass through their land. As a result, the Israelites had to find an alternative route to continue their journey.
This passage illustrates the challenges the Israelites faced during their wilderness wanderings and their attempts to seek peaceful passage through the lands of neighboring nations. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of Moses’ disobedience when he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God had commanded.
