Deuteronomy 2

Chapter Introduction:

This chapter details Israel’s departure from Kadesh-barnea. This was 40 years, mostly in the wilderness of Zin. The journey brought them to their current location at the border of Amorite territory in the Transjordan. Israel encountered their relatives in their travels:

Edom – Mt. Seir was given to Esau
Moab – was given to the sons of Lot
Ammon – was given to the sons of Lot

In general, we often see these countries possessed a protected status, unless they came against Israel. God wouldn’t allow the Israelites to destroy them.

Deuteronomy 2:1-7

The Israelites were in the wilderness of Zin near Kadesh and then to the Way of the Red Sea. They headed south on a road along Mount Seir, the west side of Edom. The Lord then directed them to turn northward. They would enter Seir. God gave the Edomites a fear of Israel. The Israelites were not to mess with Edom, for they were the descendants of Esau. None of the land possessed by Edom would become Israel. They were allowed to buy food and water. The end of their forty years in the wilderness was drawing to a close.

Deuteronomy 2:8-9

The Arabah Road runs north-south along the gulf of Aqaba up to the Dead Sea through the rift valley. Elath and Ezion Geber were both at the northern tip of the Red Sea. The Israelites then cut east across the southern border of Moab to turn north into the Wilderness of Moab, on the east edge of Moab.

The Lord directed Israel not to mess with Moab. The Lord would not give them into the hands of Israel. Ar is a city but also seen as a region by some. This was given to Lot for His possession.

Deuteronomy 2:10-12

This passage is parenthetical, an interruption to add background information. The Emim are mentioned in Genesis 14:6. This seems to be a Moabite name for the giants (Rephaim) in that land. They are said to be great, numerous and tall. They were regarded as giants like the Anakim. The Horites were the people left from a Hurrian empire along the Euphrates. They were conquered and fading. Esau dispossessed them from Seir.

Deuteronomy 2:13-19

The Valley of Zered is along the southern border of Moab. It was 38 years from Kadesh to this point in time. Many see this as a marker beginning of the conquest of the land. This wilderness wandering was the time it took for that rebellious generation to pass away. The Israelites would pass the boundary of Moab and come near Ammon. Neither of these people groups were to be harmed or harassed, their land was given to the sons of Lot.

Deuteronomy 2:20-23

This passage is also parenthetical to add explanatory details regarding the text. Ammon was also a land where the giants lived. They called them Zamzummin, also known as Zuzim. They were also considered great, numerous and tall like the Anakim. But the Lord destroyed them.

The Avim were also a giant clan that lived in what became the Philistine territory. They were displaced by the Caphtorim (who became known as Philistines). Caphtor is Crete. See Jerimiah 47:4; Amos 9:7.

Deuteronomy 2:24-250

The call to rise up and cross the Arnon and take the land came at the direction of the Lord. It was faith, and the lessons of their forefathers, that gave them courage to follow the Lord’s direction. The Lord gave this land of Sihon the Amorite to them. They were called to take ownership and fight for what God had given them.

God put a supernatural fear of them on the nations. Everyone would know of Israel, fear them and the God they served. They came to know that He fought their battles.

Deuteronomy 2:26-30

Heshbon is fifty miles straight east of Jerusalem. Messengers were sent to Sihon to offer words of peace. The request was to pass through the land without leaving the road. They would pay for food and water, just as done with Edom and Moab.

Sihon rejected the request. There would be no peace. The Lord hardened him and made him obstinate. God, in His sovereignty, allowed Sihon’s sinful nature to work to His advantage. This was an opportunity for the Lord to deliver an enemy into the hands of His people.

Deuteronomy 2:31-37

The Lord encouraged Moses to possess the land. Sihon came out to fight them at Jahaz. The Lord gave Israel the victory over them. They were designated as “charem” which means devoted to God for utter destruction. They were under his judgment for their idolatry. They were utterly corrupt and under jurisdiction of other gods (demons). The destruction was of men, women and children of every city.

This Amorite territory is from the river Arnon, the northern border of Moab, to the Jabbok, which is the southern border of Ammon.

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