Deuteronomy 2:1-23
Q.1. Why did Moses lead the people through the wilderness? What warnings were they given about the people of the land? Why? – (Dt.2:1-12)
God did not want the people to encounter war, lest they should become discouraged and turn back to Egypt. Such a decision would be abhorred by God, because of Egypt’s idolatry (Ex.13:17-18). Therefore they were instructed by Moses to avoid inciting the wilderness nations. In fact, God had given these nations their lands and borders, and this had to be respected (Dt.2:5 & 9). The people of Israel were expected to pay for their water and food as they passed by these lands. As Paul wrote – If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men (Rom.12:18). This was the way the Israelites were to conduct themselves.
Q.2. In what way had God kept His promises on the wilderness journeys of Israel? How were the giants in the land overcome? – (Dt.2:7, 13-23 c.f. 2:10-12)
Moses could remind this newer generation – For the Lord your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing (Dt.2:7). However, God had also kept His promise to wipe out a whole generation, and only preserve the lives of Caleb and Joshua – 14 … until all the generation of the men of war perished from within the camp, as the Lord had sworn to them. 15 Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from within the camp until they all perished (Dt.2:14-15). Moses gave the credit to God, for helping even heathen nations to destroy the giants of the land. Consequently, Israel was not to provoke these neighbours since God had shown grace to them (Dt.2:19-22). Many of the great empires will boast of their conquests. The Bible attributes it all to the Lord, the sovereign God.