I began this study with a friend from a parent’s perspective. Circumstances prevented our continuing our study, but I decided to begin this journal with the notes I had prepared on the first chapter from that perspective.
Deut. 1:1 These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.
Words of Moses = words of God (cf v3).
Moses was God’s chosen leader of the people.
God’s words are more important than our words.
Parents are God’s chosen authority for their children.
How did Moses know what to say? – By staying connected to and having a listening heart and obedient spirit before God.
Our children should know that we want to obey God as we teach them. How do we best do that? Through example.
Deut. 1:2 (There are eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of mount Seir unto Kadeshbarnea.)
Deut. 1:3 And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;
This 11-day journey took 39 years, 11 months, and 1 day because of God’s judgment of their sin, their lack of faith in Him that resulted in their disobedience.
Moses begins to review ALL God’s commands with ALL the people.
His message is one of reminding them of past experience.
It’s important to teach our family the whole word of God.
Experience is one of the best teachers.
Deut. 1:4 After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelt in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelt at Astaroth in Edrei:
Deut. 1:5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,
Deut. 1:6 The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:
Deut. 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
Note that it is after a time of victory that Moses takes the time to teach them in preparation for future victory.
*We need to be aware and take advantage of opportune teaching moments.
God is directing their movement.
God desires to direct our steps/our path.
Psalm 23:3 “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
Proverbs 3:6 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
We parents are to direct the paths of our children according to God’s direction through His word and His Holy Spirit.
“dwelt long enough….” – God knows what is best for us.
Our children should know that we know what is best for them.
I’m sure some of the people questioned why the wilderness wanderings had to be so long etc. They certainly whined and complained along the way. Our children will often question the why of our actions as well. We need to stay the course and do what is best for them—not what is easiest.
Deut. 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
God is the owner/creator of the land; He has chosen to give it to Israel.
God established the goal – “I have set the land before you…”
Parents should establish goals for their children.
God gave the people the responsibility of achieving that goal – “go in and possess…”
In context, He is going to empower them as they respond in obedience.
God is a covenant-keeper; He is going to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Where God guides, He provides.
God + me = overcomer/conqueror
His promise will never fail.
Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
Our children should be able to trust our word.
We should never ask more of our children than we know they can do.
We should equip them for success to the best of our ability.
Deut. 1:9 And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:
Deut. 1:10 The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.
Deut. 1:11 (The LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as he hath promised you!)
Deut. 1:12 How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance, and your burden, and your strife?
Deut. 1:13 Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
Moses recognized his limitations.
Moses didn’t let his limitations keep him from desiring the growth of the nation.
We need not fear helping our kids excel beyond our own abilities. We need to trust God to provide as needed.
Moses directed the people to choose leaders from their tribes who were wise and well known (of proven character).
Moses then invested those chosen with authority as judges.
Parents should recognize their weaknesses and limitations and seek help when needed from those who are wise and have proven character.
Our authority as parents has been invested to us by God.
V13 –
“wise” = intelligent in word and action
“understanding” = separate mentally, discernment
“known” = as knowledgeable, diligent, learned, respected, skillfull, understanding
Deut. 1:14 And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do.
Deut. 1:15 So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.
Deut. 1:16 And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.
Deut. 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it.
The people understood the wisdom of Moses’ decision.
The judges were instructed to judge “righteously” whether judging between brethren or strangers.
All men should be equal before the judge; no favoritism should be shown.
Judges are representing God.
When dealing with our children, we need to be “righteous” in assessing difficult situations—w/siblings, playmates, teachers, etc.
We have been empowered with authority as parents by God.
We are to function as parents according to His principles.
Deut. 1:18 And I commanded you at that time all the things which ye should do.
Moses gave both the people and the judges clear instructions as to God’s expectations for them. There was no basis for anyone to declare ignorance of expectation.
God has given us clear instructions and principles to live by in His Word. We should do no less for our children. They need to have a clear understanding of our expectations of them—clear behavioral guidelines.
We should also be diligent to teach them clearly regarding God’s expectations of them.
*Love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind.
*Obey your parents.
*Love one another.
*Be kind to one another.
*Don’t lie
*Don’t steal, etc.
Deuteronomy 6:7 “…thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children and shalt talk of them.”
Deut. 1:19 And when we departed from Horeb, we went through all that great and terrible wilderness, which ye saw by the way of the mountain of the Amorites, as the LORD our God commanded us; and we came to Kadeshbarnea.
Learning from history/experience is important to growth.
Moses reminded them of their history and experience—to teach them.
Repetition is important to instilling truth.
Experience is important to building faith.
Sharing your own experiences is important to encouraging others.
Deut. 1:20 And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites, which the LORD our God doth give unto us.
Deut. 1:21 Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.
Deut. 1:22 And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
Deut. 1:23 And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:
They recognized the challenge before them and carefully considered how to approach that challenge.
The plan to send out spies pleased Moses.
Was it wrong to send out the spies (to use human logic and reasoning in preparation to acting on God’s command)? No. In the book of Numbers we are told that God told Moses to send the men.
Numbers 13:1-2 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.”
Their sin was in disobedience based on the perceived circumstances. They were to walk by faith and not by sight.
Habakkuk 2:4 “…but the just shall live by his faith.”
Deut. 1:24 And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.
Deut. 1:25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
Deut. 1:26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
The people recognized the truth that God was giving them the land—a good land.
Their lack of faith resulted in fear and disobedience at Kadesh Barnea.
Faith without works is dead. James 2:20 “But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear. 2Timothy 1:6 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Head knowledge that leads to heart knowledge that leads to action is the picture of true faith.
What would cause our children not to have faith in us?
*Not keeping our word…inconsistency
These traits in us will feed a disobedient character.
Deut. 1:27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
Deut. 1:28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
In their fear, they made false accusation against God.
We need to teach our children that it is OK to identify fear and admit the need for help instead of casting blame elsewhere to hide our fear.
They allowed their human perception of the circumstances to overrule their knowledge of the proven power and character of God.
The lack of faith of the few caused thousands to disobey through lack of faith.
Children need to understand that their behavior, their testimony influences others (especially younger siblings).
Deut. 1:29 Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
Deut. 1:30 The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt and provided for them during their time in the wilderness.
We need fear nothing when God is on our side.
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”
Deut. 1:31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
Deut. 1:32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,
Still they did not believe God.
Sometimes we have to accept the fact that our children are going to have to learn some very hard lessons on their own. They will refuse to take advantage of the wisdom we share with them.
Deut. 1:33 Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Deut. 1:34 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, and was wroth, and sware, saying,
God prepares the path before us when we are following Him; He lights our way.
Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 139:3 “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.”
Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
God hears us.
God knows our thoughts and our words before we even speak them.
Psalm 94:11 “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man….”
Psalm 139:4 “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”
Deut. 1:35 Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers,
Deut. 1:36 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh; he shall see it, and to him will I give the land that he hath trodden upon, and to his children, because he hath wholly followed the LORD.
Unbelief results in death.
We cannot judge God based on human perceptions and limitations.
With God—nothing is impossible.
Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
His character never changes.
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not….”
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
His word never fails.
Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Isaiah 14:24 “The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand….”
Without faith in God’s word and His provision for us [Jesus], we will die and not be allowed to enter the promised land [heaven].
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Deut. 1:37 Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.
Moses was human. It is interesting to note that he held the people accountable for his disobedience to God in striking the rock instead of speaking to it that resulted in his not being allowed to enter the promised land.
We need to guard against blame-shifting and accept responsibility for our own actions.
Sin always has consequences.
Deut. 1:38 But Joshua the son of Nun, which standeth before thee, he shall go in thither: encourage him: for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.
Deut. 1:39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
We are to encourage our spiritual leaders because their success affects our success.
“your children, which…had not knowledge between good and evil” = Those under 20 years of age.
Numbers 14:29 “Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me….”
The times have greatly changed. Knowledge of good and evil comes much earlier today I’m afraid.
Is this different from knowing right and wrong? Is it a reference to the age of accountability?
Deut. 1:40 But as for you, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.
Deut. 1:41 Then ye answered and said unto me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. And when ye had girded on every man his weapons of war, ye were ready to go up into the hill.
Deut. 1:42 And the LORD said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.
Deut. 1:43 So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.
Deut. 1:44 And the Amorites, which dwelt in that mountain, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and destroyed you in Seir, even unto Hormah.
The people finally acknowledged their sin.
Judgment was pronounced; it was too late for a change of heart.
Without God, they failed.
Judgment once pronounced must be carried out to be effective.
You cannot expect success when acting outside the will of God. Without God we can do nothing.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
Deut. 1:45 And ye returned and wept before the LORD; but the LORD would not hearken to your voice, nor give ear unto you.
The Lord did not pay attention to their tears after the defeat that resulted from their disobedience.
We are prone to being moved by the tears of our children. Tears should not prevent just punishment.
What are right responses to tears?
*Providing comfort when needed because of injury or mistreatment by others
*Affirming love before and after administering punishment
Deut. 1:46 So ye abode in Kadesh many days, according unto the days that ye abode there.
The consequences of sin can have enduring impact.
The consequences of sin are life changing.
Deut. 2:1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.
Deut. 2:2 And the LORD spake unto me, saying,
Deut. 2:3 Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.
After leaving Kadesh Barnea, the Israelites began their wilderness journey by turning south into the desert “by way of the Red Sea.” The route evidently took them around the borders of the hill country of Seir. After “many days,” the Lord instructed them to turn back north.
Again, God gives specific direction to His people.
“long enough” – Indicates specific purpose for the time spent wandering.
Deut. 2:4 And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
Deut. 2:5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession.
The hill country of Seir was land that God had given to Esau and his descendants, relatives of the children of Israel as descended through Jacob’s brother. Point is made that God was leading them along the borders of Seir, but not through Seir. The fact that they were such a great multitude would provoke fear in the hearts of the people of Seir, but they were to avoid angering them or causing trouble with them in any way.
It stands out that God gave lands to people other than the Israelites, but they were also descendants of Abraham or of his near kinsman.
Deut. 2:6 Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink.
Deut. 2:7 For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.
God had abundantly blessed the Israelites. I am reminded that they left Egypt with great wealth. They had evidently been blessed to use these resources in accumulating further wealth. The Israelites were to buy what they needed. They were not to use their strength to take advantage of the people of Seir. God had provided for them so that they lacked nothing throughout their years of wandering. Implied—and He would continue to do so if they followed Him in faith and obedience.
We should use our talents and resources wisely.
All our talents and resources are given to us by God.
God’s children will never lack what they need when following Him in faith and obedience.
Deut. 2:8 And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
Deut. 2:9 And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession.
After traveling along the borders of Esau’s descendants in Seir, the Israelites would journey along the borders of the descendants of Lot, the Moabites. Again, the Lord instructs them not to cause any trouble with the Moabites because He has also given these cousins of the Israelites their own land.
We are to be content with what God gives us.
We should not covet what God has given to someone else.
Deut. 2:10 The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;
Deut. 2:11 Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.
It would seem that the lands of Seir and Moab had once been inhabited by giants. The Hebrew for the word giants makes reference to the Rephaim. In past studies I have found these terms all connected to the “nephilim” that were spawned from the union of the “sons of God,” who I believe to be the fallen angels, with the daughters of men.
Genesis 6:1-4 “And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
I think an excerpt from my journal in Genesis is appropriate here.
Many commentators believe the “sons of God” is a reference to men; some specify that they descended from Seth. Why would the union of regular men and women (be they godly or not) produce such mighty men of renown—giants? Why would obedience to God’s command to men and women to multiply and fill the earth bring about a decision by God to limit man’s existence on planet earth? It makes much more sense that these “sons of God” are fallen angels meant to pollute the line of the Messiah as seems to be indicated in verse 9 below.
Genesis 6:9 “These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
“perfect” = without blemish, undefiled
I think you can find support for the “sons of God” being angels in the first chapter of Job.
Job 1:6 “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.”
It would seem that there is a time of discussion in heaven between God and His angels as they interact with man. The writer of Hebrews tells us that they were created as “ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.” (Hebrews 1:14) Satan evidently continues to present himself on these occasions to “accuse the brethren,” as stated by John in Revelation 12:10 and as the story of Job so vividly pictures. Not until the New Testament is the phrase “sons of God” applied to men who believe on Jesus for their salvation.
I think it was Chuck Missler that I heard give a reasonable explanation regarding the term “sons of God” referencing direct creations of God. It wasn’t until the New Testament times that men could become a “new creation” in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Deut. 2:12 The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which the LORD gave unto them.
The children of Esau eventually conquered a group of people (which in context seem to be grouped with the giants) called “Horims” in their take over of Seir. The wording of this verse indicates that the Lord empowered them to conquer a physically superior enemy just as He would empower the Israelites to conquer the Canaanites.
Again, the truth is reiterated that with God on our side we are guaranteed victory.
Deut. 2:13 Now rise up, said I, and get you over the brook Zered. And we went over the brook Zered.
Deut. 2:14 And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.
Deut. 2:15 For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.
The main point of these verses is that the children of Israel were not allowed to continue in their objective to conquer the Promised Land until all adults of the generation that refused to believe that God was able to fulfill His word and give them the land in spite of the physical superiority of the enemy had died. Thirty-eight years had passed since their sin at Kadeshbarnea until the time that God directed them to cross the brook Zered in preparation for conquering the land. It is emphasized that God destroyed every man (20 years and older, cf Numbers 14:29) of the rebellious generation (except Caleb and Joshua, cf Numbers 14:30). This would put the whole company of Israelites at age 57 or younger (except Caleb and Joshua).
I couldn’t help but think of a verse in Hebrews at this point. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:31
Deut. 2:16 So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people,
Deut. 2:17 That the LORD spake unto me, saying,
Deut. 2:18 Thou art to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:
Deut. 2:19 And when thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon, distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession.
Again, point is made that when the offending generation of men were dead, the Lord instructed Moses to lead the people along the border of Moab and continue along the border of Ammon toward their objective. Again, the Israelites are warned not to cause any trouble with the children of Ammon. They were also descendants of Lot, and God had given them the land they possessed as well.
Deut. 2:20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
Deut. 2:21 A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:
Deut. 2:22 As he did to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day:
Deut. 2:23 And the Avims which dwelt in Hazerim, even unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their stead.)
Giants had also previously inhabited the land now possessed by the children of Ammon, but God had empowered them to defeat the mighty giants as He had their cousins, the children of Esau, and the Moabites.
According to the prophet Jeremiah, the Caphtorims were of the same origin as the Philistines.
Jeremiah 47:4 “Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.”
They are credited with destroying the Avims and dwelling in their land.
This brings up a sad but valid observation. Those who were not God’s people had accomplished what the people of Israel had not; they had conquered land possessed by giants. We know that God had enabled their victory, since He gave them the land. It is a sad but true fact today that often those who do not follow God as Lord are more bold and confident in the actions they take in the name of what they believe than do those of us in the “church.” The people of Israel could have experienced blessing so much sooner if they had just trusted God who had so publicly proven Himself on their behalf.
Deut. 2:24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.
Deut. 2:25 This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.
Moses now records how the Lord instructed him to lead the Israelites across the river Arnon to the land of the Amorites. I thought it was interesting that the instruction was to “begin” to possess it through battle with King Sihon and his armies. God promised to use this victory by the Israelites to “begin” provoking fear of them among the other heathen nations in the world that heard the report of this battle. The fact is stressed that it is God who is the true source of the nations’ fear of the Israelites since He is the One empowering His people. Both uses of the word begin are an indication of more of the same to follow.
I am reminded of the scripture that connected the Amorites reaching fullness of sin with the deliverance of the descendants of Abraham from Egypt. God told Abraham, “But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.” Genesis 15:16
This is just another amazing example of the omniscience and sovereignty of God. In His righteousness there is a time allotted for every nation and, I believe, every person to respond to Him in faith and repentance. In His sovereignty there is also a time at which that nation’s or individual’s opportunity to respond to Him comes to an end. We have no right to question either determination. Every decision made by YHWH is holy and just.
Isaiah 5:16 “But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.”
Daniel 9:14 “…for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth….”
Revelation 16:7 “And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.”
Deut. 2:26 And I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,
Deut. 2:27 Let me pass through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left.
Deut. 2:28 Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet;
Deut. 2:29 (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.
Moses describes how he sent a message to King Sihon asking permission to lead the people through his land on foot, promising to stay on an established route and buy food and drink on their way through. (This incident is recorded in Numbers 21.) This is the same treatment accorded them by the inhabitants of Seir and Moab. He assures the king that his intent is to cross Jordan to possess the land that YHWH, the self-existent, eternal God of Israel, is giving them. They had no evil intentions toward Sihon.
Deut. 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
Deut. 2:31 And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
Sihon = The whole country on the east of Jordan, from the Arnon to the Jabbok. (Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
The sins of the Amorites were now “full.” God hardened Sihon’s heart, just as He had Pharaoh’s. He is not making Sihon go against his will; He is giving him over to his will. This is the term that Paul uses in his letter to the Romans in describing God’s response to those who reject God and choose evil. This was to be the first of many victories as the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land.
Romans 1:24, 26, 28 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts….For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections….And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind….”
Note that God first began to give the people of Israel the land that was east of the Jordan River (v31).
Deut. 2:32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
Deut. 2:33 And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.
Deut. 2:34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:
Deut. 2:35 Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.
Sihon chose to deny the Israelites passage and came out in force to do battle at Jahaz. YHWH, the God of Israel, empowered Israel to conquer Sihon and his people. They took possession of all the Amorite cities and destroyed all the people—men, women and children. They kept only the cattle and the material spoil of the cities.
These are the sections of scripture that cause many people to question God’s righteousness and love. They forget that God allowed His people to suffer in Egypt for hundreds of years as He allowed time for these wicked people to turn to Him in faith and repentance. As a loving Father, He does not want to allow people to live who will only be a stumbling block to the faithfulness of His people by introducing them to the worship of false gods. They don’t take into consideration that the children were spared being brought up by such wicked parents. I believe these children will be in heaven among the multitudes of others who suffered evil at the hands of their parents, such as those that are aborted for the convenience of their parent(s). Even King David’s own son died because of the sin of his father and mother, but David declared that he knew he would one day be reunited with that son.
2Samuel 12:22-23 “And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
His son was an innocent child, not yet accountable for sin.
Deut. 2:36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:
Deut. 2:37 Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.
Moses reminds the people that from that first battle until they reached Gilead, not one city had been able to stand against them. God had made them victorious over each one. The only places they did not conquer were the ones that God had forbidden them to touch—Seir, Moab, and Ammon.
When we choose to follow God’s will in obedience, we will always have success.
Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”