If Israel could have traveled through Edom, they might have had 120 miles less to walk than by circumventing this hostile land. They pleaded to be allowed to pass through, promising to go directly by the highway and to pay for anything they might use. But Edom absolutely refused and came out with a show of arms. Therefore, “Israel turned away from him.”

Edom is actually the same name as Adam with only the vowels changed. As one writer suggests, the flesh always remains the same, no matter how it might disguise itself. The dangerous temptation is always present for the believer to desire to take a shortcut by means of the flesh. But God’s ends cannot be served by the flesh. We must learn that the flesh lusts against the spirit and will not be subject to God. However, when the flesh shows its hostility, as Edom did, what are we to do? Israel did not take up arms and fight, as later they were called upon to do in the land against other enemies. Rather, they turned away from Edom.

Just so, believers are not called upon to wage war with the flesh. They are not able to overcome this enemy within them by combat. In conflict with Satan, we are told to withstand and stand, having put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11–13). But in conflict with the flesh, we are to turn from its seducing attacks, depending on the Spirit of God to carry on this battle, while we are privileged to have our eyes on Christ, not on the enemy. When Paul in 1 Timothy 6:9–10 warns Timothy of fleshly snares, he adds in verse 11, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” Rather than fighting this battle, let us engage our thoughts and hearts with the positive character of God, and with the Lord Jesus and all that He is for us.