Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

repent and were to be dealt with mercifully. God shows compassion
before He inflicts judgments.
The Israelites were forbidden to ever take revenge for the insult
given them in refusing to let them pass through the land. They must
not expect to possess any part of the land of Edom. God had
promised them a large inheritance, but they were not to feel that
they were the only ones on Earth to have rights--they were not to try
to crowd out all others. They were to be careful not to do anything
unfair or cruel to the Edomites. They were to trade with them,
promptly paying for all they received. As an encouragement to trust
in God and obey His word, they were reminded, "The Lord your
God has blessed you ...; you have lacked nothing" (Deuteronomy
2:7). Their God was rich in resources, and they should demonstrate
the principle, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
If they had passed through Edom as God had intended, their
journey would have been a blessing to the Edomites. They would
have become acquainted with God's people and His worship and
would have seen how the God of Jacob blessed those who loved and
respected Him. But the unbelief of Israel had prevented all this.
They must cross the desert again and quench their thirst from the
miraculous spring that they would no longer have needed if they had
only trusted in Him.
Aaron Dies in Moses' Arms
So the multitude of Israel again made their way over the empty
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