Deuteronomy 2
McGeeCHAPTER 2THEME: Moses reviews Israel’s wanderingsThis discourse of Moses gives a continuation of his review of their journeys. After they turned back from Kadesh-barnea, the children of Israel went to Mount Seir.
Deuteronomy 2:1
I have always thought that the Lord has a sense of humor, and I think we can see it here.
Deuteronomy 2:2
You see, they didn’t know where to go. All they have been doing is just going around and around Mount Seir. It was sort of a ring-around-the-rosy; round and round they go. Finally God says that He is getting tired of that. He probably said, “Let’s quit this round and round business.” I’m afraid many Christians are doing that very same thing. Because they fail to take God at His Word, they are just marking time, and are on a merry-go-round of activity.
Deuteronomy 2:4
GOD’S CARE FOR ESAUHere is something else which is important for us to learn. Back in Genesis 36 we learned that Esau lived in Seir and that Esau is Edom. Jacob had received the birthright and God gave to him and his descendants the Promised Land. Esau went to Seir, and it is now clear that God has given that to the people of Esau as their possession. This is in the country where the rock-hewn city of Petra stands to this day. God clearly tells Israel that they cannot touch the possession of Esau. There is a lesson here for the nations today. God has set the bounds of the nations (Act_17:26). Most wars are fought because the boundaries of nations are not respected. Another lesson to learn is that God always keeps His promises. Even to a people such as the people of Esau, God remains true to His promise.
Deuteronomy 2:7
Here is the overall view of their forty years. God knew all their trials and troubles because God had walked with them all those years. Moses could honestly say, “Thou hast lacked nothing.” How wonderful! It is the same as when David looked back over his life and said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psa_23:1). How could he say that? Because he had never wanted! God does not give us the promise of the luxuries of life, but God provides the necessities of life. He will do that for you and for me, also.
Deuteronomy 2:9
GOD’S CARE FOR OTHER NATIONSWe have seen how God protected the boundaries of Esau. We find that He does the same for other nations. Israel will face giants in the land, but God encourages them by showing them that for Esau to conquer his land, he had to destroy the giants called Horims (v. Deu_2:22). For the children of Ammon to possess their land, they had to conquer the giants which were called the Zamzummims (v. Deu_2:20). We still have giants today. Every now and again we produce people who are 7 and 8 feet tall.
Deuteronomy 2:19
Israel will face giants in the land, but God encourages them by showing them that for Esau to conquer his land, he had to destroy the giants called Horims (v. Deu_2:22). For the children of Ammon to possess their land, they had to conquer the giants which were called the Zamzummims (v. Deu_2:20). We still have giants today. Every now and again we produce people who are 7 and 8 feet tall.
Deuteronomy 2:24
CONQUEST OF TRANS-JORDANIsrael passed around Moab and Ammon and did not possess their land. These nations sold them food and water. Now Moses tells of the overtures he made to Sihon, the king of Heshbon.
Deuteronomy 2:26
Instead of allowing Israel to pass through his land, King Sihon came out against them with his armed forces.
Deuteronomy 2:30
God preserved His people from destruction.
Deuteronomy 2:33
This land that God allowed Israel to conquer and possess had formerly belonged to the Moabites. The Amorites under King Sihon’s leadership had driven out the Moabites from this section of land and had taken over this territory. God permitted him to dispossess the Moabites, but when he led the attack against Israel, he was killed and his forces scattered. His capital was taken and the territory given to Israel. This episode is often referred to as a reminder to Israel of what God had done for them and became a source of encouragement to them. God is showing them that He is with them and will keep His promises to them. As you know, the Lord does that for many of us today. He permits us to have a difficult experience, maybe a sad one, to prepare us for lifeor to prepare us to be helpful to others.