Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

"You shall not pass through," was the answer. Armed groups of
Edomites were already posted at the difficult passes, and the
Hebrews were forbidden to use force. They must make the long
journey around the land of Edom.
If the people had trusted in God, the Captain of the Lord's army
would have led them through Edom. The inhabitants of the land,
instead of reacting with hostility, would have shown them favor. But
the Israelites did not act promptly on God's word, and the golden
opportunity passed. When they were finally ready to present their
request to the king, it was refused. Ever since they left Egypt, Satan
had been throwing obstacles in their way so that they might not
inherit Canaan, and by their own unbelief they had repeatedly
opened the door for him.
When God tells His children to go forward, Satan tempts them
to displease the Lord by hesitating and delaying. He tries to stir up
disagreements, complaining, or unbelief, and so cheat them out of
the blessings God wants to give. God's servants should be ready to
follow God immediately. Any delay on their part gives Satan time to
work to defeat them.
The Edomites were descendants of Abraham and Isaac. For the
sake of these two servants of His, God had given them Mount Seir
for a possession. They were not to be disturbed unless by their sins
they placed themselves beyond His mercy. The Hebrews were to
utterly destroy the people of Canaan, who had become so evil that
nothing more could be done for them; but the Edomites could still
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