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” that YHVH has for us? 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? These aren’t easy questions to answer. One thing is certain though. We must put serving and obeying YHVH Yeshua above allegiance to our families. Yeshua had some pretty hard words in this regard (see Matt 10:34–39).
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!
Another lesson to be learned from these verses is this: Choose your battles carefully. Avoid conflicts with others if possible. Go to battle only when YHVH tells you to. Only then will you come out victoriously, for then he will be fighting on your side and not against you. Latter in this chapter, we see that YHVH instructed the Israelites to engage certain nations and defeat them. When Israel obeyed him and fought only his battles, what was the outcome? (Read 2:24–3:11 cp. 3:22.)
Esau meets with Jacob but like Judas, kisses him but he brought 400 (+?) men, how long were they slaves in Egypt? 400 +? years…interesting…
Messiah gave clarification as to who is TRUE FAMILY and, by implication, who is not.
This is what he said in response to being told that his “mother and brothers” had come to see him: “‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN is my brother and sister and mother.'” [Mat 12:46-50]
And he also gave clarification as to who are not his TRUE DISCIPLES and, by implication, who are.
This is what he said, using hyperbole of course, about who are not his disciples: “If anyone comes to me and does not HATE HIS OWN FATHER AND MOTHER AND WIFE AND CHILDREN AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” [Luk 14:26]
Finally, Messiah gave clarification as to who is not WORTHY OF HIM, and by implication, who is.
This is what he said of how we should not too highly value family who are blood relatives: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” [Mat 10:37]
We ought not be too dependent upon, responsible for, nor accountable to blood relatives or even spouses and, by implication, in-laws, according to Messiah’s instructions. Certainly, though, we must always honor parents, but that does not mean we are to properly obey them if we are now independent adults. It may also, actually, be righteous to be more devoted to loving spouses, blood relatives, and in-laws than anyone else, and we also certainly ought to at least pursue peace with everyone. However, may we be strong and of good courage to only put our faith, hope, and trust in and fear YHVH, alone, and not man, no matter who it is, especially “crazy family members”!