Deuteronomy 2: Wilderness Wanderings and First Conquests

Short answer: Deuteronomy 2 records Israel's travels from the Red Sea to the Arnon, where they bypassed Edom, Moab, and Ammon at God's command. It also describes the defeat of King Sihon and the beginning of Israel's possession of the land east of the Jordan.

What Deuteronomy 2 says

The chapter opens with Israel's long encirclement of Mount Seir, until Yahweh tells them to turn north (verses 1-3). They are to pass through the territory of Esau, but not to contend for it, because God has given Mount Seir to Esau (verses 4-5). Instead, they must buy food and water from them (verse 6). The reason given is that Yahweh has blessed them and been with them for forty years, so they have lacked nothing (verse 7). This sets the tone: God directs their steps and provides, while marking boundaries they must respect.

Next, Israel passes by the way of the Arabah from Elath and Ezion Geber, then turns toward Moab (verse 8). Yahweh instructs them not to bother Moab or fight them, because Ar has been given to the children of Lot (verse 9). A parenthetical note explains that the Emim, a tall people like the Anakim, formerly lived there, but the Moabites displaced them (verses 10-11). Similarly, the Horites were displaced by the children of Esau in Seir (verse 12). These historical notes show that God had already been giving lands to other peoples, and Israel's own possession would follow the same pattern.

Then comes the command to cross the brook Zered (verse 13). The text notes that thirty-eight years passed from Kadesh Barnea until that crossing, until the entire generation of fighting men had perished, as Yahweh had sworn (verse 14). Yahweh's hand was against them until they were consumed (verse 15). After their death, Yahweh speaks again, directing Israel to pass over Ar, the border of Moab (verses 16-18). They are also to avoid bothering the children of Ammon, for their land has been given to the children of Lot (verse 19). Another parenthetical section describes the Rephaim and other tall peoples whom Yahweh destroyed before Israel's relatives (verses 20-23).

Finally, Yahweh commands Israel to cross the Arnon and begin to possess the land of Sihon the Amorite (verse 24). God promises to put dread and fear of Israel on all peoples (verse 25). Moses sends messengers to Sihon with words of peace, asking only to pass through and offering to buy food and water (verses 26-29). But Sihon refuses, because Yahweh hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, so that he might be delivered into Israel's hand (verse 30). Yahweh then tells Moses to begin possessing, and Sihon comes out to battle at Jahaz (verses 31-32). Yahweh delivers him over, and Israel strikes him, his sons, and all his people (verse 33). They utterly destroy every city, leaving no one, but take the livestock as plunder (verses 34-35). From Aroer to Gilead, no city is too high, because Yahweh gives them all (verse 36). Yet they do not touch Ammon, as God commanded (verse 37).

Verses that carry the chapter

• “For Yahweh your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years, Yahweh your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” (Deuteronomy 2:7) — This verse grounds Israel's journey in God's blessing and presence, noting that despite forty years in the wilderness, they lacked nothing. It shows God's faithfulness as the reason for their endurance.
• “The days in which we came from Kadesh Barnea until we had come over the brook Zered were thirty-eight years: until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the middle of the camp, as Yahweh swore to them.” (Deuteronomy 2:14) — This verse marks the fulfillment of judgment: the generation of fighting men perished over thirty-eight years, just as Yahweh had sworn. It underscores the seriousness of God's word and the cost of unbelief.
• “Today I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.”” (Deuteronomy 2:25) — God promises to put dread and fear of Israel on all peoples, demonstrating that the coming victories are not due to Israel's strength but to God's terror going before them.
• “But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Yahweh your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 2:30) — This verse explains that Sihon's refusal was because Yahweh hardened his spirit, showing that even opposition serves God's purpose to deliver him into Israel's hand.

Gospel connection

Deuteronomy 2 shows God guiding his people through a long wilderness, providing for them, and beginning to give them victories over formidable enemies. It anticipates the greater deliverance that comes through Jesus, who leads his people through the wilderness of this world into a promised inheritance. The hardening of Sihon and the destruction of cities may seem harsh, but they reveal that God's judgment is real and that his purposes will not be thwarted. Ultimately, the chapter points to the faithfulness of God, who keeps his promises even when his people must wait and face opposition. It also reminds us that our inheritance is not earned by our own strength but given by God's grace, just as salvation is a gift.

Application

This chapter asks readers to trust God's timing and provision, even when the journey is long and the path seems circular. It challenges us to respect boundaries God sets, not grasping for what he has not given us, and to remember his faithfulness in past provision. It also calls us to recognize that opposition may be part of God's plan to display his power and give us victory. Practically, we can examine where we are striving to take what is not ours, and where we need to wait on God to fight our battles. We are invited to look back on our own wilderness years and see that we have lacked nothing, then step forward in obedience to cross our own Zered and Arnon.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that Israel conquered Edom, Moab, or Ammon; it explicitly says they were not to contend with them. It does not give the exact route or all the details of the wilderness wanderings, nor does it explain why God hardened Sihon's heart beyond stating it was to deliver him into Israel's hand. It does not describe the feelings or thoughts of the people, nor does it mention Moses' personal reflections. The text is silent on the internal lives of the characters and on the ultimate fate of the peoples mentioned. It also does not claim that Israel's victories were due to their own military prowess; rather, it attributes them to Yahweh's deliverance.

Questions for study

1. Why did God tell Israel not to contend with Edom, Moab, and Ammon, even though they were passing through? What does this reveal about God's sovereignty over all nations?
2. In verse 7, Moses recalls that God blessed Israel and they lacked nothing during forty years. How does remembering past provision help us trust God in present waiting?
3. The generation of fighting men perished over thirty-eight years (verse 14). What does this teach about the consequences of unbelief and the reliability of God's warnings?
4. Why did Sihon refuse Israel's peaceful request, and how does verse 30 explain his refusal? How do we reconcile human responsibility with God's hardening?
5. Israel utterly destroyed Sihon's cities but did not touch Ammon (verses 34-37). What principles can we draw about obeying God's specific commands, even when they seem inconsistent to us?

Keep reading

Related studies: Deuteronomy 1 Bible Study, Deuteronomy 10 Bible Study, Deuteronomy 11 Bible Study, Deuteronomy 12 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why did God forbid Israel from attacking Edom, Moab, and Ammon?

God had given those lands to the descendants of Esau and Lot as their possession, so Israel was not to take them. They were to pass through peacefully and buy food and water.

What does it mean that Yahweh hardened Sihon's spirit?

It means God made Sihon obstinate so that he would refuse Israel's request and thus be delivered into their hands for judgment. This served God's purpose to give Israel the land.

How long did Israel wander from Kadesh Barnea to the brook Zered?

The text says it was thirty-eight years, until all the men of war had perished from the camp, as Yahweh had sworn.