Judges 11:17
Israel then sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. And they sent also to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel remained at Kadesh.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Despite the clear refusal of passage, Israel "abode in Kadesh," meaning they remained there peacefully and didn't try to force their way through. This shows their respect for the laws of nations and their patience, waiting for God's direction rather than resorting to immediate conflict.
Jephthah, facing a war with the Ammonites, first tries diplomacy, sending messengers to the kings of Edom and Moab seeking passage through their lands to reach Ammon. Both kings refuse, forcing Israel to find an alternative route and delaying their journey. This passage sets the stage for Jephthah's argument that he is not an aggressor, but is being forced into conflict.
Imagine needing to get somewhere crucial, but encountering closed doors. Israel faced this when trying to cross neighboring lands. What does their approach teach us about navigating conflict?
When the Israelites were on their journey, they didn't just force their way through other nations' lands. Instead, they humbly sent messengers to the kings of Edom and Moab, asking for permission to pass through.
A Humble Request
They promised to stay on the road, not to harm anyone, and to pay for any provisions they needed. This wasn't about conquest; it was about finding a peaceful way forward.
God's Will, Not Force
Even though their requests were denied, Israel didn't resort to violence. They waited, trusting God for the next step, rather than taking matters into their own hands through aggression.
What do you do when your plans are blocked and your requests are denied? Israel's response in Kadesh offers a powerful lesson in patient perseverance.
Both the king of Edom and the king of Moab refused Israel passage. This wasn't just an inconvenience; it was a significant obstacle to their journey.
The Unwilling Neighbors
Despite the rejections, the text emphasizes that Israel 'abode in Kadesh.' They didn't retaliate or try to force their way through.
Patient Trust
Their decision to remain in Kadesh highlights a crucial aspect of their faith: patience and trust in God's timing and guidance. They chose to wait and seek God's direction rather than acting out of frustration or impatience. This posture of waiting allowed them to continue their journey according to God's plan, not their own immediate desires.
Understand the original words
mal'ak · Hebrew Noun
A person sent by a superior (or God) to deliver a message or perform a mission. It signifies someone acting under authority, particularly in diplomatic or divine contexts.
Edom · Hebrew Proper Noun
The descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. They were a nation related to Israel by blood, with whom the Israelites were commanded not to contend due to their kinship.
Moab · Hebrew Proper Noun
A nation descended from Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Like Edom, they were historically related to the Israelites and often acted as adversaries or distinct neighbors to God's people.
This verse highlights the difficult and often hostile reception Israel faced from surrounding nations as they journeyed toward and began settling the Promised Land, shaping their later relationships and conflicts.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
After their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites began a long journey toward the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Denied Passage by Edom
The Israelites requested permission to pass through Edomite territory, but were refused, forcing them to detour.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Denied Passage by Moab
Similar to Edom, the Moabites also refused the Israelites passage through their land.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Israelites Wander in Wilderness
Following repeated denials of passage, the Israelites spent many years wandering in the wilderness, including extended periods at Kadesh.
c. 13th Century BC
This passage directly describes Israel's request to pass through Edom's land and Edom's refusal, providing the specific details that Jephthah is referencing. It highlights Edom's unbrotherly rejection of their own kin.
Deuteronomy 2:1-8This passage recounts Israel's journey around Edom and Moab, explicitly stating they were forbidden to trespass. It underscores the pattern of these nations refusing passage and the importance of seeking God's direction in such circumstances.
Numbers 21:21-24This passage shows Israel later encountering Sihon, king of the Amorites, after Edom and Moab refused them passage. Sihon also refused passage and attacked Israel, demonstrating a hostile response from nations bordering the Promised Land.
Judges 11:12-28This chapter, which contains the verse in question, shows Jephthah using these historical events as a basis for his diplomatic and legal arguments with the king of Ammon. It illustrates how past dealings with neighboring nations informed Israel's political and theological understanding.
gillJudges 11:17: "Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh."
Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom,.... The history of which may be read in Numbers 20:14 , &c. saying, let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land; the land of Edom, from the south to the north of it, according…
ellicottJudges 11:17: "Then Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, pass through thy land: but the king of Edom would not hearken thereto. And in like manner they sent unto the king of Moab: but he would not consent: and Israel abode in Kadesh."
(17) Unto the king of Edom. —As narrated in Numbers 20:14 , seq. Even if Jephthah had no written documents before him to which he could refer, the events which he recounts were not so distant as to have been forgotten. Unto th…
Despite the clear refusal of passage, Israel "abode in Kadesh," meaning they remained there peacefully and didn't try to force their way through. This shows their respect for the laws of nations and their patience, waiting for God's direction rather than resorting to immediate conflict.
Jephthah, facing a war with the Ammonites, first tries diplomacy, sending messengers to the kings of Edom and Moab seeking passage through their lands to reach Ammon. Both kings refuse, forcing Israel to find an alternative route and delaying their journey. This passage sets the stage for Jephthah's argument that he is not an aggressor, but is being forced into conflict.
Jephthah, facing a war with the Ammonites, first tries diplomacy, sending messengers to the kings of Edom and Moab seeking passage through their lands to reach Ammon. Both kings refuse, forcing Israel to find an alternative route and delaying their journey. This passage sets the stage for Jephthah's argument that he is not an aggressor, but is being forced into conflict.
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Conquest of Canaan Begins
After the wilderness wandering, the Israelites, under Joshua, began their military campaigns to conquer the land of Canaan.
"Israel then sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Please let us pass through your land,’ but the king of Edom would not listen. And they sent also to the king of Moab, but he would not consent. So Israel remained at Kadesh." — Despite the clear refusal of passage, Israel "abode in Kadesh," meaning they remained there peacefully and didn't try to force their way through. This shows their respect for the laws of nations and…
