Deuteronomy 2:2–9, Edom. Edom (another name for Esau, brother of Jacob) and Moab and Ammon (sons of Lot) were blood relatives of the Israelites. Often those of our own family will stand in our way as we go in to possess our spiritual, Elohim-given inheritance and destiny.
What is the lesson from this passage of scripture on how to deal with less-than-cooperative family members who fail to recognize the calling on your life? Are we to make war with them? Are we in any way to be beholden to or dependent on them for our physical needs? If we became dependent upon them could this help or hinder our chances of entering our own spiritual destiny or “Promised Land”? Does YHVH desire our families to be saved? (See Acts 16:31; 2 Pet 3:9.) How can we be a light to our families if we are fighting and attempting to destroy those who would spiritually stand in our way?
This passage also teaches us to avoid conflicts with family members at all costs. No good can come from such confrontations. How does verse 5 start out? Now go on to read verse 6. YHVH instructed the Israelites to treat their cousins with respect and civility—almost in a business-like manner.
Nowhere does Scripture tell us that we have to like our heathen family members. But neither are we to act offensively toward them. Like the Israelites when forced to encounter long lost relatives, sometimes it is best to smile, be nice, but keep moving on!
Thank you so much for this encouragement. It is needed at a very hard time in our new walk with Yeshua HaMashiach. We definitely feel like we are in the wilderness and very alone (of course YHVH is with us, but we have been so used to sharing our lives with humans more than YHVH and He is a jealous Elohim). Praise His Kadosh Name! YHVH our Elohim is with us!!!! We are learning: Hebrews 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living Elohim.” Jim and Sereta Spohn