Going around the Inhospitable

 14Moses 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. 15Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors, 16but 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. 17Please 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.”18But Edom answered:“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”19The 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.”20Again they answered:“You may not pass through.”Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

Thoughts: Moses could have fought his way through Edom.  Probably they had a more powerful army.  But perhaps he knew they were weary from being in the desert, and were not prepared.  He asked permission, was not given it- in fact was threatened.  But he did not respond back with anger, he just went around though it meant losing costly time.  
    We should sometimes ask for people to treat us with hospitality, and then expect that we will not receive it.  We should put our time and lives in God's hands and let Him lead us.  

Prayer: Give me grace, O Lord, when people are not hospitable toward me.  Let me have more patience than I have in and of myself.