Edom Refuses Israel Passage

From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom. The message called Israel Edom's brother and reminded him of Israel's long trouble. Their fathers had gone down to Egypt, they had lived there a long time, and the Egyptians had mistreated them.

The message said that Israel had cried out to the LORD, and he had heard them. He sent an angel and brought them out of Egypt. Now they were in Kadesh, a city at the edge of Edom's border, asking for a way through.

Israel's request was careful. They said they would not go through fields or vineyards, and they would not drink water from the wells. They promised to stay on the king's highway and not turn to the right or to the left until they had passed the border.

But Edom answered no. Edom warned that if Israel came through, they would come out against them with the sword. Israel replied that they would go only by the highway, and if they or their livestock used water, they would pay for it. They asked only to pass through on foot.

Edom still refused. Edom came out against Israel with many people and a strong hand. So Israel did not force its way through. Edom would not let them pass, and Israel turned away from that border. What can we learn here about asking for peace, even when the answer is no?