Deuteronômio 2
Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 2
Utley - There are several “wildernesses” connected to the exodus. SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WILDERNESSES OF THE EXODUS 1. Wilderness of Shur—in northeast Egypt (e.g., Exod. 15:22) 2. Wilderness of Paran—central Sinai Peninsula (e.g., Gen. 21:21; Num. 10:12; 12:16; 13:3, 26) 3. Wilderness of Sin—southern Sinai Peninsula (e.g., Exod. 16:1; 17:1; Num. 33:11, 12, also called “wilderness of Sinai,” e.g., Exod. 19:1, 2; Num. 1:1, 19; 3:4; 9:1, 5) 4. Wilderness of Zin—southern Canaan (e.g., Num. 13:21; 20:1; 27:14; 33:36; 34:3; Deut. 32:51) Deuteronomy 2:2 "And the LORD spoke to me, saying, After 38 years of wandering God again speaks to Moses with new instructions for the nation. And the LORD spoke to me, saying - The phrase LORD spoke to me is found in Dt 2:1, 2, 17 and the related phrase LORD said to me is found in Deut. 1:42; Deut. 2:9; Deut. 2:31; Deut. 3:2; Deut. 3:26; Deut. 4:10; Deut. 5:28; Deut. 9:12; Deut. 10:1; Deut. 10:11; Deut. 18:17. The LORD speaks directly to Moses just as he later does to the prophets, as He did for example to Jeremiah (Jer 1:7, 9, 12, 14; 3:6, 11; 11:6, 9, etc). Deuteronomy is repeated described as God's personal revelation to Moses. In addition to this direct revelation to Moses, Yahweh directed Israel by the movement of the Shekinah glory cloud (cf Tony Garland's The Abiding Presence of God) and also by the use of the Urim and Thummim (by the High Priest). The Other Side of the Unknown - On October 14, 1947, Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier in Bell Laboratories' experimental rocket plane, the Bell X-1. The plane, painted a bright orange, was essentially a large engine with a couple of stubby wings attached, and it was notoriously hard to control. In order to conserve fuel, it was taken aloft by a specially designed B-29 bomber and dropped before firing its engine. The penetration of the sound barrier wasn't supposed to happen that October day. The program was set up to approach the speed of sound very gradually, and Yeager's goal on the occasion was to fly at .97 Mach, 97 percent of the speed of sound. Yeager, like the other test pilots in the program, knew that unpredictable things happened the closer one flew to the sound barrier. The plane would typically begin to vibrate. The X-1 was not a particularly stable plane to begin with, and Yeager began the flight with an arm that had been injured earlier in the week. It took several seconds simply to get control of things once he had been dropped from the mother plane. When the X-1 had only 30 percent of its fuel remaining, Yeager put the plane into a shallow dive and began to increase speed. As he approached his target velocity, the vibrating increased to the point that it was difficult even to read the instruments on what people in the program had come to call the "orange beast." Those strange vibrations had caused some experts to conclude that penetration of the sound barrier was impossible. They felt that unknown forces would simply tear apart any plane that got too close to breaking through the speed of sound. Then, just when it seemed that the plane could take no more, the vibrating stopped. Yeager glanced at his air speed gauge and noted that he had just passed 1.0 Mach. For about twenty seconds, he flew at supersonic speed for the first time in human history, and he described it as though gliding on glass. All the fears and uncertainties had given way to victory over the sound barrier. Any worthy objective has a way of generating fear. When Israel set out to conquer the promised land, their fears were evident. They didn't know what would happen once they crossed the Jordan River and entered the land. They knew that aggressive peoples lived within the area that God had promised to give them, and they knew that those peoples would resist their invasion. They had to overcome their fears if they were to conquer the land and begin to live in it. In the same way, Christians must move past their fears when dealing with each challenge to spiritual growth. They dare not shrink away from dealing with temptation and bad habits because they are afraid of the turbulence that will be a part of their lives when they go to war with them. (Holman Old Testament Commentary – Deuteronomy) Deuteronomy 2:3 'You have circled this mountain long enough. Now turn north, long enough: De 2:7,14 1:6 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GO NORTH MY PEOPLE You have circled this mountain long enough - ESV - "You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough." The idea of circling emphasizes that Israel never entered into the land of Edom. Remember that all during their wilderness journey God remained faithful to lead them and provide for their needs (Dt 2:7+). The new generation needed to remember His faithfulness. THOUGHT - If God had been faithful to the nation even as He was carrying out His judgment on the first generation, how could He not be just as faithful in carrying out His promise to the second generation to bring them into the promised land? John Maxwell quips "they didn’t know where to go. All they have been doing is just going around and around Mount Seir. It was sort of a ring–around–the–rosy; round and round they go. Finally God says that He is getting tired of that. He probably said, “Let’s quit this round and round business.” I’m afraid many Christians are doing that very same thing. Because they fail to take God at His Word, they are just marking time, and are on a merry–go–round of activity." (Preacher's Commentary) Now turn (panah) north - Refer to the map above noting "Mount Seir" which was the region south and east of Kadesh-Barnea. Jehovah is clearly guiding the rebellious nation and commands them now to turn north which would be toward the land of Canaan, the Promised Land which they would enter from the eastern border crossing the Jordan River. John
Deuteronômio 2
Utley - This shows a balance between the love of God and the justice of God. God’s purpose is not just to punish, but to help His people learn from their mistakes. Therefore, He made these people, under His death sentence, wander around for 38 years, but He fed them, He loved them and He provided for them. It wasn’t sudden death, but it was an untimely death. Everyone of the men who came up to Kadesh-barnea, 20 years of age and up, were now dead, except Joshua and Caleb. Deuteronomy 2:17 that the LORD spoke to me, saying, that the LORD spoke to me, saying - The phrase LORD spoke to me is found in Dt 2:1, 2, 17 and the related phrase LORD said to me is found in Deut. 1:42; Deut. 2:9; Deut. 2:31; Deut. 3:2; Deut. 3:26; Deut. 4:10; Deut. 5:28; Deut. 9:12; Deut. 10:1; Deut. 10:11; Deut. 18:17. The LORD speaks directly to Moses just as he later does to the prophets, as He did for example to Jeremiah (Jer 1:7, 9, 12, 14; 3:6, 11; 11:6, 9, etc). Deuteronomy is repeated described as God's personal revelation to Moses. In addition to this direct revelation to Moses, Yahweh directed Israel by the movement of the Shekinah glory cloud (cf Tony Garland's The Abiding Presence of God) and also by the use of the Urim and Thummim (by the High Priest). Deuteronomy 2:18 'Today you shall cross over Ar, the border of Moab. Nu 21:15,23 Isa 15:1 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Arnon River = Northern Border of Moab. City of Ar just South of river (Click to Enlarge) Today you shall cross over Ar, the border of Moab - See preceding note on Ar. You (Moses) and the second generation. Moses would cross the Ar, but not the Jordan. Deuteronomy 2:19 'When you come opposite the sons of Ammon, do not harass them nor provoke them, for I will not give you any of the land of the sons of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot as a possession.' De 2:5,9 Ge 19:36-38 Jud 11:13-27 2Ch 20:10 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 2:4-5+ command the people, saying, “You will pass through the territory of your brothers the sons of Esau who live in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. So be very careful; do not provoke them, for I will not give you any of their land, even as little as a footstep because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. Deuteronomy 2:8-9+ “So we passed beyond our brothers the sons of Esau, who live in Seir, away from the Arabah road, away from Elath and from Ezion-geber. And we turned and passed through by the way of the wilderness of Moab.Then the LORD said to me, ‘Do not harass Moab, nor provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the sons of Lot (MOAB WAS ONE OF THE SONS OF LOT - Ge 19:30-38) as a possession.’ Ammon - Reuben is Where Sihon's Land Was Located 'When you come opposite the sons of Ammon (LOT'S OTHER SON - Ge 19:30-38), do not harass (tsûr/sur) them nor provoke (garah) them, for I will not give you any of the land of the sons of Ammon as a possession (yerushshah) because I have given it to the sons of Lot as a possession (yerushshah).' Sihon king of the Amorites controlled the area between the Arnon River on the south, the Jordan on the west, the Jabbok on the north, and the border of the Ammonites on the east (In the map above the territory of Reuben was on land formerly controlled by Sihon). The Israelites were not to disturb the Ammonites but rather were to turn northwestward into the country of Sihon. NET Note on sons of Lot - Following the destruction of the cities of the plain, Sodom and Gomorrah, as God's judgment, Lot fathered two sons by his two daughters, namely, Moab and Ammon (Ge 19:30–38). Thus, these descendants of Lot in and around Ar were the Moabites. Deuteronomy 2:20 (It is also regarded as the land of the Rephaim, for Rephaim formerly lived in it, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummin, Zamzummim: Ge 14:5, Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Most writers interpret Dt 2:20-23 as a second parenthetical section (as was Dt 2:10-12) giving some ethnic and geographical background. This would have been good for the second generation to hear how their God had destroyed these giants. (It is also regarded as the land of the Rephaim, for Rephaim formerly lived in it, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummin - Again we see that giants in the land were no obstacle for God. Zamzummin ( זמזמּים , zamzummı̄m ): A race of giants who inhabited the region East of the Jordan afterward occupied by the Ammonites who displaced them. They are identified with the Rephaim ( Deuteronomy 2:20 ). They may be the same as the Zuzim mentioned in connection with the Rephaim in Genesis 14:5 . See REPHAIM . NET Note - Zamzummites. Just as the Moabites called Rephaites by the name Emites, the Ammonites called them Zamzummites (or Zazites; Gen 14:5). Deuteronomy 2:21 a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim, but the LORD destroyed them before them. And they dispossessed them and settled in their place, great: De 2:10-11 1:28 3:11 but the Lord: De 2:22 Jud 11:24 Jer 27:7,8 Hab 1:10,11 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 2:10-11+ (The Emim lived there formerly, a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim. 11 Like the Anakim, they are also regarded as Rephaim, but the Moabites call them Emim. YAHWEH DESTROYED THE GIANTS A people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim, - These giant peoples are like evil "Marvel Comic Book" characters which are almost "superhuman." God could have chose pygmies, but the first generation saw themselves as grasshoppers in comparison to the inhabitants of Canaan, so God wanted them to understand that every nation is like a "grasshopper" before His mighty hand. And so these victories are recounted to the new generation to show them that God is the real "Superhero," and He is on their side! This would surely have greatly encouraged their belief that they could conquer the Promised Land. but - Term of contrast. They were great but not too great for Yahweh. The LORD destroyed (shamad) them before them - The point is that Yahweh destroyed these giant people before the Ammonites. The phrase before them is interesting as it could be interpreted one of two ways. One is that God destroyed the giants without the Ammonites playing any personal role. The NET rendering supports that thought = "he LORD destroyed the Rephaites in advance of the Ammonites, so they dispossessed them and settled down in their place. (Deu 2:21 NET). NIV rendering has the Ammonites participating = "The LORD destroyed them from before the Ammonites, who drove them out and settled in their place." (Dt 2:21NIV) Either way the main thrust is that the victory was the LORD's and this is a truth the second generation men of war needed to hear. Surely this would encourage them as they contemplated invasion of Canaan. Note once again the juxtaposition of... GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY/MAN'S RESPONSIBILITY And they dispossessed them and settled in their place - Dispossessed is the verb yarash, which was used in Dt 2:12 which says the sons of Esau dispossessed the Horites. In that passage the verb destroyed (shamad) follows the dispossession and then is followed by they settled in their place. Dispossessed (yarash) is used 5 times in chapter 2 (Dt 2:12, 21, 22, 24, 31) and clearly is a key word/concept God wants to get across to the new generation. A key truth that Moses conveys to the second generation in Deuteronomy 2 is the role of the LORD in the destruction and/or deliverance of enemies - He did the same thing for the Israelites before Sihon as He had done to the other enemies. Deuteronomy 2:12 The Horites formerly lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed (LORD NOT MENTIONED HERE BUT SAME VERB FOR "DESTROY" IN Dt 2:15) them from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave to them.) Deuteronomy 2:15 “Moreover the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from within the camp until they all perished. Deuteronomy 2:21 a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim, but the LORD destroyed them before them. And they dispossessed them and settled in their place, Deuteronomy 2:30 “But Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing for us to pass through his land; for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, in order to deliver him into your hand, as he is today. Deuteronomy 2:31 “The LORD said to me, ‘See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to occupy, that you may possess his land.’ Deuteronomy 2:33 “The LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him with his sons and all his people. Deuteronomy 2:36 “From Aroer which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon and from the city which is in the valley, even to Gilead, there was no city that was too high for us; the LORD our God delivered all over to us. Deuteronomy 2:22 just as He did for the sons of Esau, who live in Seir, when He destroyed the Horites from before them; they dispossessed them and settled in their place even to this day. Esau: Ge 36:8 the Horites : De 2:12 Ge 14:6 36:20-30 1Ch 1:38-42 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JEHOVAH DESTROYED THE HORITES just as - Term of comparison. NET has "This is exactly what he did for the descendants of Esau who lived in Seir." (Dt 2:22NET) In other words, Jehovah accomplished victory over the giants in the land enabling the Ammonites to possess their possession and He performed the same feat for the Edomites. He did for the sons of Esau, who live in Seir, when He destroyed (shamad) the Horites from before them; they dispossessed them and settled in their place even to this day =- Earlier Moses recorded "The Horites formerly lived in Seir, but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did to the land of their possession which the LORD gave to them.)(De 2:12) It would seem clear that the comparison to the Ammonites, that Yahweh is involved in both of the Ammonite and Edomite victories over their strong enemies. Deuteronomy 2:23 And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.) Avvim: Jos 13:3 Gaza: 1Ki 4:24 Jer 25:20 Zep 2:4 Zec 9:5 Caphtorim: Ge 10:14 Jer 47:4 Am 9:7 Ac 17:26 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AVVITES DESTROYED BY YAHWEH And the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza (map) - The Avvim are mentioned only 3 times in Scripture - Deut. 2:23; Jos. 13:3; Jos. 18:2) so we do not know much about them. Could they have also been a "giant" race? Given the context, that is certainly a consideration. The related name Avvites is mentioned in Josh 13:3, 2 Ki 17:31:As far as Gaza means to the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, later associated with the Philistines, enemies of Israel in the Promised Land. Avvim - A people mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:23 as being dispossessed by the Caphtorim. This, however, could not have taken place before the days of Joshua, for it is stated in Joshua 13:3 that the Israelites upon entering Canaan failed to conquer them; and their place of settlement is identical with the one mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:23. Although settled in the Philistine district, they do not appear to have had anything in common with the Philistines; they resemble rather the class of Bedouins who had made some progress toward the stage of permanent settlements. (Jewish Encyclopedia) NET Note - Avvites. Otherwise unknown, these people were probably also Anakite (or Rephaite) giants who lived in the lower Mediterranean coastal plain until they were expelled by the Caphtorites. Caphtorites. These peoples are familiar from both the OT (Ge 10:14; 1 Chr 1:12; Jer 47:4; Amos 9:7) and ancient Near Eastern texts (Miriam Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, 2:37–38; ANET 138). They originated in Crete (OT "Caphtor") and are identified as the ancestors of the Philistines (Gen 10:14 ; Jer 47:4). The Caphtorim who came from Caphtor, destroyed (shamad) them and lived in their place.) - The NLT has "A similar thing happened when the Caphtorites from Crete invaded and destroyed the Avvites, who had lived in villages in the area of Gaza." (Dt 2:23NLT) The Caphtorim were precursors to the later, greater Philistines (ca 1200 b.c) The location of Caphtor was most likely the island of Crete. In this destruction there is no statement that the LORD was involved enabling the Caphtorim to defeat the Avvim, the comparison with the previous passages leaves little doubt that He was intimately involved. Pulpit Commentary note on why mention the Caphtorim - Caphtorim were, like the Israelites, immigrants, who drove out the original occupants of the country; and on this account, probably, are referred to by Moses here. Deuteronomy 2:24 'Arise, set out, and pass through the valley of Arnon. Look! I have given Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land into your hand; begin to take possession and contend with him in battle. Arnon: De 2:36 Nu 21:10-135 Judges 11:18-21 behold: Jos 6:16 2Ch 36:23 Ezr 1:2 Jer 27:5 Eze 29:20 Da 2:38 4:17 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Numbers 21:10-13+ Now the sons of Israel moved out and camped in Oboth. 11 They journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim, in the wilderness which is opposite Moab, to the east. 12 From there they set out and camped in Wadi Zered (click this map and locate Zered labeled "Zered River" at the southern tip of the Dead Sea).. 13 From there they journeyed and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorites, for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. Valley of Arnon (Arnon Gorge) Border Between Moab (south) and Amorites (north) GOD'S PROMISES MUST BE POSSESSED To summarize in the previous section Moses has reviewed Jehovah's faithfulness to enable victories by Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites and Capthorites over strong enemies (some or all giant peoples). These truths prepared the second generation to hear and obey the seven commands in this verse. THOUGHT - God did not give Israel commandments without first giving them evidence that He could enable them to carry out those commands. The same principle is true in our life beloved -- God does not command us to do something He does not enable us to obey! In the OT the context was literal physical warfare, but in the NT, the context is literal spiritual warfare. Take for example the incessant attacks on believers by their own fallen flesh, Peter exhorting the believers "Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to (present tense - continually) abstain from fleshly lusts which (present tense - continually = see parallel Gal 5:17+) wage war against the soul.." (1 Pe 2:11+) How could believers ever hope to be victorious over our fleshly lusts which never ceases attacking? The answer of course is WE cannot hope for victory over such a formidable foe (a "giant") by depending on our own strength. However, we can trust in God to give us the strength we need (Php 4:13+). HE has given us of His omnipotent Holy Spirit to enable us in this supernatural fight with our insidious, invisible enemy, our flesh (not to mention our other enemies - the world and the devil). And so Paul commands us to "Walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Gal 5:16+). Walk is a command in the present imperative which we can ONLY obey by depending on the Holy Spirit. We must still fight, but it is God Who gives us the victory, just as in the situations described in the previous passages. Yahweh now issues seven commands in one verse! I think He means business! "YHWH is commanding, encouraging, and challenging His people to trust Him and obey His word as their parents did not. The land was theirs if they exercised faith!" (Utley) While Israel was not to disturb the Edomites, Moabites, or Ammonites, because all were close relatives, Amorites ruled by Sihon were "fair game" and Yahweh gave them into their hands. Arise, set out, (same verb - Dt 1:7, 19, 40, Dt 2:1) and pass through the valley of Arnon (see map above or here) - NIV = "cross the Arnon Gorge" (See picture of the dry river bed). Arnon is the northern boundary of Moab (map). After rehearsing Yahweh's role in the victories over giant enemies, Yahweh now commands the new generation to begin holy war (although they had experienced one victory earlier over Arad reversing their loss 38 years earlier at Hormah - cf Nu 14:45 and Nu 21:1-3). Note the repeated juxtaposition of God's sovereign gift/provision and the people's responsibility. THOUGHT - This pattern of God's power and Man's responsibility applies to the NT believer's daily "holy war" with the world, the flesh and the devil. Gal 5:17+ says " the (fallen, sinful) flesh (present tense - continually) sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are (present tense - continually) in opposition to one another." Believers would not stand a chance of victory over these enemies if God did not provide us access to His supernatural power. We see this provision clearly in Romans 8:13+ where Paul writes "if by the Spirit you are (present tense - continually) putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Notice the juxtaposition of God's power (by the Spirit) and our responsibility (putting to death). While this synergistic dynamic is mysterious to me, it is absolutely Scriptural and is the (only) way for saints to have victory over their mortal enemies,, the world, the flesh and the devil. See also the "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible". The command to arise harkens back to the same command given to Israel's patriarch Abraham in Genesis 13:17 “Arise (qum), walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” (cf "“Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you" - Josh 1:3-4) Look! (PAY ATTENTION!) I have given Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land into your hand - Recall it was the Amorites that caused fear to 10 of the 12 men sent into spy out the Promised Land 38 years earlier. Also note that now in contrast to the situation with Edom, Moab and Ammon, God was giving (actually past tense = have [already] given) the land of Sihon into Into your hand which is the common way of figuratively saying into your power. It would later be allotted to the Tribe of Reuben (see map) While some writers feel that the Kingdoms of Sihon and Og were not included in the land boundaries promised to Abraham (Ge 15:18-21), but others do feel that this area (often referred to in commentaries as "Transjordan") was in the area promised to Abraham (I favor the latter interpretation). Grant - Crossing the Arnon river brought Israel into territory that was possessed by the Amorites, whose ruler was Sihon. This warlike people occupied the high ground of the land of Canaan and had been there for many years. They were amongst those who were defeated in battle by Chedorlaomer (Ge 14:7), but had become a powerful nation, extending their rule to the east bank of the Jordan and occupying a part of the land that been possessed by the Moabites (Nu 21:26). This victory had been celebrated by a great song of triumph (Nu 21:27-30+) praising the power of Sihon.This was not the first time that Israel had faced the Amorites. Their defeat when they attempted to enter Canaan after refusing to do so (Nu 14:40-45+) has already been referred to by Moses (Dt 1:42-44). Those who came against them on that occasion were the "Amalekites ... and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill" (Num 14:45). Amongst them, however, were Amorites (Deut 1:44). (What the Bible Teaches) Begin to take possession (yarash)and contend (garah) with him in battle - The possession had been given, but God now commands them to possess their possession by waging "holy war" against Sihon (but see caveat/disclaimer regarding the term "holy war"). Contend is the same verb (garah) used earlier (translated provoke) in De 2:5 and Dt 2:9 to prohibit Israel from fighting, but now commanding them to fight. NET Note on Heshbon - Heshbon is the name of a prominent site (now Tell HesbaÒn, about 7.5 mi [12 km] south southwest of Amman, Jordan). Sihon made it his capital after having driven Moab from the area and forced them south to the Arnon (Num 21:26–30). Heshbon is also mentioned in Deut 1:4. Ryrie's Note on Dt 2:24-37 - Compare Nu 21:21-32+. The Amorites were an alien race (not related to the Israelites)(ED: WHICH IS WHY THEIR LAND WAS "FAIR GAME" IN CONTRAST TO THE LANDS OF EDOM, MOAB, AMMON) that had spread across the East side of the Jordan. As a result of sinking into idolatry, they had to be destroyed. See Ge. 15:13-16+ and Deut. 7:2+. (Ryrie Study Bible) Meredith Kline sums up the preceding section - By all these historical notices the covenant servant Israel was advised that the Lord had a hegemony over the territory about the promised land. In his all-controlling providence he had repeatedly dispossessed great nations—even the Anakim, whose presence in Canaan had frightened Israel into rebellion against the Lord a generation before (cf. Dt 1:28; 2:14, 15). And the Lord had done this in behalf of various peoples who enjoyed no such special status of covenant calling as elect Israel enjoyed. With what confidence, therefore, Israel might obey the Lord's summons to rise up (Dt 2:13) and cross the mountain torrents of Zered and Arnon (Dt 2:24), and soon the Jordan (cf. Josh 1:2). See Amos 9:7 for another lesson drawn from such historical data. The Zered marked the southern boundary of Moab, along whose eastern border Israel went, so approaching the frontiers of Ammon, which lay east and north of Moab (Dt 2:18, 19; cf. Dt 2:8b; Nu 21:11ff.). (Wycliffe Bible Commentary on Deuteronomy) Three beginnings in Deuteronomy 2 Beginning of wars (Deut. 2:24) Beginning of the fear of Israel (Deut. 2:25) Beginning of possession (Deut. 2:31) Deuteronomy 2:25 'This day I will begin to put the dread and fear of you upon the peoples everywhere under the heavens, who, when they hear the report of you, will tremble and be in anguish because of you.' De 11:25 Dt 28:10 Ex 15:14-16 23:27 Jos 2:9-12 Josh 9:24 2Ki 7:6-7 Ps 105:38 Jer 33:9 Rev 3:9 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Exodus 23:27+ “I will send My terror (Hebrew = emah which conveys the thought of "panic" or "dread." God would make the nations panic as they heard of the exploits and knew the Israelites were drawing near.) ahead of you, and throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. Deuteronomy 11:25+ “No man will be able to stand before you; the LORD your God will lay the dread (pachad) and fear (yirah) of you on all the land on which you set foot, as He has spoken to you. Joshua 2:9-12 (RAHAB THE HARLOT) and said to the men (ISRAELITES SENT TO SPY JERICHO), “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you. 10 “For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond (ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF) the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 “When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath. 12 “Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s household, and give me a pledge of truth, PAGAN NATIONS DIVINELY DIRECTED TO DREAD ISRAEL This day - What day? Apparently the very day Yahweh made this declaration. I will begin to put the dread (pachad) and fear (yirah) of you upon the peoples everywhere under the heavens, who, when they hear the report of you, will tremble (quake, quiver) and be in anguish (whirl, writhe) because of you - Yahweh put the fear of the Israelites in the nations, not the fear of Him. Indeed as Romans 3:18+ says "there is no fear of God before their eyes." However at least some pagans understood that YAHWEH was Israel's God and that He was the God "in heaven above and on earth beneath." (Josh 2:11). The dread and fear would make the nations tremble and writhe like a woman in labor! Dread (fear) (06343) pachad describes terror, fear, panic or dread often caused by the Lord (1Sa 11:7; Job 13:11; Isa. 2:10, 19, 21). Pachad can be a strong emotion of fear or terror or can refer to the person or thing which arouses the terror (usually the latter sense, cp Ps 31:11). Pachad describes the state or condition of severe distress over impending trouble. Pachad is used as a Name of God in Ge 31:42, 53). Israel’s enemies will dread them—Dt. 2:25; 11:25; Ps. 105:38. The Israelis will be afraid of YHWH if they sin—Dt. 28:66, 67. YHWH is to be awed—Ps. 119:120. Uses in Deuteronomy - Dt 2:25, 11:25, 28:67. Fear (03374) yirah from verb yare = to fear) can describe dread (Dt 1:29, Dt 2:25, Ps 55:5), being terrified (Jonah 1:10), standing in awe (1Ki 3:28), or having reverence (Lev 19:3, Ex 20:20, Ps 5:7). Yirah usually refers to the fear of God in a positive sense (2Chr 19:9, Ps 19:9, 34:11, 111:10, Pr 1:7, 1:29, 2:5, 8:13, 9:10, 10:27, 14:26, 14:27, 15:16, 15:33, 16:6, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17, Isa 11:2, 11:3, 33:6). Yirah is produced by God’s Word (Ps. 119:38; Pr. 2:5). The fear of the Lord may be lost by despair of one’s own situation (Job 6:14) or envy of a sinner’s (Pr. 23:17). Fear of the Lord restrains one from sin (Ge 20:11; Ex. 20:20), gives confidence (Job 4:6; Pr. 14:26); helps rulers and causes judges to act justly (2Sa 23:3; 2Chr. 19:9; Neh. 5:15); results in good sleep (Pr. 19:23); with humility, leads to riches, honor, and life (Pr. 22:4). Tremble (07264)(ragaz) means to be agitated, quiver, quake, be excited, perturbed, deeply moved, disturbed, enraged, troubled. Septuagint translates it in Dt 2:25 with verb tarasso (agitated, disturbed). Anguish (calve, give birth, shakes, travail, tremble, writhe).02342)(chul) means to to whirl, dance. Chul has many different meanings, most of which derive from either the idea to whirl in circular movements and to writhe in labor pains. And so to "writhe like a woman in labor" (Isa 13:8) a vivid picture of how the nations would respond to the thought of Israelites at the doorstep of their land! Only other use in Deuteronomy is Dt 32:18. Deuteronomy 2:26 "So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, Kedemoth: Jos 13:18 21:37 with words of peace,: De 20:10-18 Es 9:30 Mt 10:12-15 Lu 10:5,6,10-12 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 20:10-18+ “When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. 11 “If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. 12 “However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 “When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword. 14 “Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you. 15 “Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby. 16 “Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes. 17 “But you shall utterly destroy them, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, as the LORD your God has commanded you, 18 so that (PURPOSE) they may not teach you to do according to all their detestable things which they have done for their gods, so that you would sin against the LORD your God. ISRAEL FIRST SEEKS PEACE So I sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying - As described in Deuteronomy 20:10-11+ Kedemoth was a about 8 miles north of the Arnon River (as shown on this map) which was the northern boundary of Moab. And since Israel had been commanded to cross the Arnon, it is clear that they are now in Sidon's territory. Recall that Moses had made a similar plea to Edom in Nu 20:17 which Edom refused forcing Israel (Nu 20:18-22, Nu 21:4) NET Note says "Kedemoth (means "eastern regions"). This is probably Aleiyan, about 8 mi (13 km) north of the Arnon and between Dibon and Mattanah." Deuteronomy 2:27 'Let me pass through your land, I will travel only on the highway; I will not turn aside to the right or to the left. De 2:6 Nu 21:21-23 Judges 11:19 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Let me pass through your land, I will travel only on the highway - NET = "I will keep strictly to the roadway" where the Hebrew literally reads “in the way in the way” (בַּדֶּרֶךְ בַּדֶּרֶךְ, baderekh baderekh) Moses using this repetition to strongly convey the fact that Israelites would not veer off the highway (the King's Highway which went through Edom, Moab, and the Kingdom of Sihon- see map). I will not turn aside to the right or to the left - Recall Yahweh had said He had given the land to them, but here Moses seeks a peaceful passage as through Edom, Moab and Ammon (cf Dt 2:4+). Utley on not turn aside to the right or to the left - The phrase is based on the OT idiom of biblical faith as a path or way (e.g., Ps. 119:105). God’s will is clearly marked. This concept is literal here (i.e., a highway). So the phrase, “turn to the right or left” is literal. Usually this is used metaphorically for the spiritual life (e.g., Num. 20:17; 22:26; Deut. 5:32; 17:11, 20; 28:14; Josh. 1:7; 23:6; 1 Kgs. 22:2). Deuteronomy 2:28 'You will sell me food for money so that I may eat, and give me water for money so that I may drink, only let me pass through on foot, only let me pass through on foot, Nu 20:19 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries You will sell me food for money (keseph - silver) so that (term of purpose) I may eat, and give me water for money so that (term of purpose I may drink, only let me pass through on foot - Just as Israel had done passing through Edom, Moab and Ammon (cf Dt 2:6+). When Moses made the request of Edom (Nu 20:19-21), the king of Edom steadfastly refused passage through his land (which would have cut many miles off of their journey to the Promised Land). Deuteronomy 2:29 just as the sons of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for me, until I cross over the Jordan into the land which the LORD our God is giving to us.' just as the sons of Esau. De 23:3,4 Nu 20:18 Jud 11:17,18 into the land: De 4:1,21,40 5:16 9:6 25:15 Ex 20:12 Jos 1:11-15 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Just as - Term of comparison. Moses compares how Israel had passed through these other lands without incident. the sons of Esau who live in Seir and the Moabites who live in Ar did for me, until I cross over the Jordan into the land which the LORD our God is giving to us - While Nu 20:19-21 records refusal to pass through Edom, one writer says this appears to have been only the Edomites of in the region of Kadesh-barnea, south of Canaan, who denied the Israelites a passage. The Edomites of mount Seir here expressly granted Israel passage as did the Moabites Deuteronomy 2:30 "But Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing for us to pass through his land; for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, in order to deliver him into your hand, as he is today. for the Lord: Ex 4:21 11:10 Nu 21:23 Jos 11:19,20 Jud 11:20 Ro 9:17-23 obstinate: Isa 48:4 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD HARDENS SIHON'S HEART TO PREVENT ISRAEL'S PASSAGE But - Term of contrast. Contrast is with how Edom had allowed Israel passage. Not so with Sihon! Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing for us to pass through his land - Sihon refused Israel safe passage. For - Term of explanation. Explains why Sihon refused safe passage. The LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate (made his heart defiant) - God is sovereign and His purposes will not be thwarted. One might ask why did Yahweh do this? Ge 15:16+ says the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete. Now, over 400 years later the iniquity of the Amorite (Sihon was king of the Amorites) was complete and thus God carried out the hardening as an act of divine judgement. So God put dread (pachad) and fear (yirah) of Israel on the pagan nations and here He hardens their pagan king. They are now "ripe for picking" as we might say!