Chapter 2 begins with Moses informing the Israelites that they wandered around Mount Seir a long time before God told him they had been wandering long enough and to turn northward and pass through the land of their relatives, the Edomites who live in Seir. Moses continues informing the Israelites what God said to him, “The Edomites will feel threatened, so be careful. Don’t bother them, for I have given them all the hill country around Mount Seir as their property, and I will not give you any of their land. Pay them for whatever food or water you use. The Lord your God has blessed everything you have done and has watched your every step through this great wilderness. During these forty years, the Lord your God has been with you and provided for your every need so that you lacked nothing.” (Deuteronomy 2:4-7) He continued, indicating that they continued traveling northward through Moab, and the Lord warned them, “Do not bother the Moabites, the descendants of Lot, or start a war with them. I have given them Ar as their property, and I will not give you any of their land. (A numerous and powerful race of giants called the Emites had once lived in the area of Ar. They were as tall as the Anakites, another race of giants. Both the Emites and the Anakites are often referred to as the Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites.) (Deuteronomy 2:9-11) Wow...more giants!
“Moses continued, “Then the Lord told us to cross Zered Brook, and we did. So thirty-eight years passed from the time we first arrived at Kadesh-barnea until we finally crossed Zered Brook! For the Lord had vowed that this could not happen until all the men old enough to fight in battle had died in the wilderness. The Lord had lifted his hand against them until all of them had finally died.” (Deuteronomy 2:13-15) Wow! What a painful consequence for simply not listening and trusting in God. It’s amazing, however, that even while God was administering His consequence, He still blessed and took care of their “every need” so that they lacked in nothing. God, you are so good!
Now that all of the men of fighting age had died, Moses informed the Israelites that God said to him, “Today you will cross the border of Moab at Ar and enter the land of Ammon. But do not bother the Ammonites, the descendants of Lot, or start a war with them. I have given the land of Ammon to them as their property, and I will not give you any of their land.” (That area, too, was once considered the land of the Rephaites, though the Ammonites referred to them as Zamzummites. They were a numerous and powerful race, as tall as the Anakites, but the Lord destroyed them so the Ammonites could occupy their land.” (Deuteronomy 2:18-21)
There seems to be a lot of giants. Where are they now? Did the Lord destroy all of them, and if so, why? As usual, if anyone knows, finds out, or has relevant information to share, please place a comment.
“Then the Lord said, “Now cross the Arnon Gorge! Look, I will help you defeat Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and I will give you his land. Attack him and begin to occupy the land. Beginning today I will make all people throughout the earth terrified of you. When they hear reports about you, they will tremble with dread and fear.” (Deuteronomy 2:24-25)
The Lord did as promised and the Israelites conquered the Amorites, crushing King Sihon, his sons, and all his people. These were the same people who swarmed the Israelites like bees and forced them out of their land when the people of Israel rebelled against the Lord, and the Lord was no longer with them in battle.
The Israelites conquered all of the people they came in contact with, except the places the Lord commanded them to leave alone. It’s amazing what happens when we are listening to God, when we are allowing Him to lead our lives.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! We are absolutely nothing without you! Help us to remain connected to you by simply listening to your voice. Help us avoid wandering in this world for any amount of time, wasting the limited days we have on this earth. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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