Friday 15th September
Read Numbers 20:14-21
“Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying:
‘This is what your brother Israel says: you know about all the hardships that have come on us. 15 Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians ill-treated us and our ancestors, 16 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. ‘Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. 17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.’
18 But Edom answered:
‘You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.’
19 The Israelites replied:
‘We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot – nothing else.’
20 Again they answered:
‘You may not pass through.’
Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.” (NIVUK)
Having repeatedly failed tests associated with cravings for food and water this positive example of how Israel should, and could, have behaved is sweet relief. Israel is willing to forego food and water to peacefully pass through Edom to the promised land (v17). This is particularly poignant given Israel (Jacob) deceitfully stole Edom’s (Esau) birthright by offering a bowl of food to his famished brother (Genesis 27).
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He too was tempted with food. As Israel here was willing to fast on their journey, Jesus fasted 40 days and forty nights. His response was singularly successful. Praise God that Jesus succeeded where we so often fail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq-B66S3L-w
