民數記20:14-21

20:14 摩西從加低斯差遣使者去見以東王，說：「你的弟兄以色列人這樣說：『我們所遭遇的一切艱難，
20:15 就是我們的列祖下到埃及，我們在埃及久住；埃及人惡待我們的列祖和我們，
20:16 我們哀求耶和華的時候，他聽了我們的聲音，差遣使者把我們從埃及領出來。這事你都知道。如今，我們在你邊界上的城加低斯。
20:17 求你容我們從你的地經過。我們不走田間和葡萄園，也不喝井裡的水，只走大道（原文是王道），不偏左右，直到過了你的境界。』」
20:18 以東王說：「你不可從我的地經過，免得我帶刀出去攻擊你。」
20:19 以色列人說：「我們要走大道上去；我們和牲畜若喝你的水，必給你價值。不求別的，只求你容我們步行過去。」
20:20 以東王說：「你們不可經過！」就率領許多人出來，要用強硬的手攻擊以色列人。
20:21 這樣，以東王不肯容以色列人從他的境界過去。於是他們轉去，離開他。

¹⁴ Moses 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. ¹⁵ Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors, ¹⁶ but 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. ¹⁷ Please 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.”

¹⁸ But Edom answered:

“You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you with the sword.”

¹⁹ The 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.”

²⁰ Again they answered:

“You may not pass through.”

Then Edom came out against them with a large and powerful army. ²¹ Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them.

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    以東雖然和以色列是兄弟之邦，但是以東並沒有善待以色列，還禁止以色列人路過他們的境地！

    這也讓我們看見雖然是骨肉之親，若不敬畏上帝，仍然會反目成仇！所以，主耶穌會說：「人的仇敵就是自己家裡的人。」（馬太福音10:36）

    也因為這樣，基督徒在家中必須「忍耐」！更要有心理準備的是，不是每個家人都會信主，不要太期待！若是家人不信主，也不要自責，這不一定是我們不努力傳福音的結果，我們只能存著盼望默默禱告！