Deuteronômio 2
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Deuteronômio 2
Vernon McGee - This is in the country where the rock–hewn city of Petra stands to this day. God clearly tells Israel that they cannot touch the possession of Esau. There is a lesson here for the nations today. God has set the bounds of the nations (Acts 17:26). Most wars are fought because the boundaries of nations are not respected. Another lesson to learn is that God always keeps His promises. Even to a people such as the people of Esau, God remains true to His promise.
Deuteronômio 2
Vernon McGee adds - Here is the overall view of their forty years. God knew all their trials and troubles because God had walked with them all those years. Moses could honestly say, “Thou hast lacked nothing.” How wonderful! It is the same as when David looked back over his life and said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps. 23:1). How could he say that? Because he had never wanted! God does not give us the promise of the luxuries of life, but God provides the necessities of life. He will do that for you and for me, also. O Love, that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow May richer, fuller be. O Light, that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee; My heart restores its borrowed ray, That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day May brighter, fairer be. O Joy, that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not vain That morn shall tearless be. O Cross, that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee; I lay in dust life’s glory dead, And from the ground there blossoms red Life that shall endless be. -- George Matheson Deuteronomy 2:8 "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. So we passed beyond : Nu 20:20,21 Judges 11:18 Elath: 1Ki 9:26, Eloth, 2Ki 14:22 16:6 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD'S PAST KINDNESSES EVEN IN JUDGMENT! 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 - Elath and Ezion-geber are both in the region of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea in the territory of Edom. They had passed through that area years before on their way from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea (Nu 33:35-36+). NET Note - Elat was a port city at the head of the eastern arm of the Red Sea, that is, the Gulf of Aqaba (or Gulf of Eilat). Solomon (1 Kgs 9:28), Uzziah (2 Kgs 14:22), and Ahaz (2 Kgs 16:5–6) used it as a port but eventually it became permanently part of Edom. It may be what is known today as Tell el-Kheleifeh. Modern Eilat is located further west along the northern coast. See G. Pratico, “Nelson Glueck’s 1938–1940 Excavations at Tell el-Kheleifeh: A Reappraisal,” BASOR 259 (1985): 1–32. Ezion Geber. A place near the Gulf of Aqaba, Ezion-geber must be distinguished from Elat (cf. 1 Kgs 9:26–28; 2 Chr 8:17–18). It was, however, also a port city (1 Kgs 22:48–49). It may be the same as the modern site Gezirat al-Fauran, 15 mi (24 km) south-southwest from Tell el-Kheleifah. And we turned (panah) and passed through by the way of the wilderness of Moab - See the map above for Israel's journey north from the Gulf of Aqaba toward the east of Edom and then through Moab. Utley on the way of the wilderness of Moab - This desert road is parallel to “the King’s Highway,” but to the east. The southern end passes through Edom and is known as “the way of the wilderness of Edom” (cf. 2 Ki. 3:8). The King’s Highway and this smaller desert road meet at Rabbath-bene-ammon, which is to the east of Jericho. Deuteronomy 2:9 "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 as a possession. Do not harass Moab, Nu 22:4 Judges 11:17 2Ch 20:10 Ar: De 2:5 Nu 21:15,28 the sons of Lot : De 2:19 Ge 19:36,37 Ps 83:8 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 19:36; 37 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. Arnon River = Northern Border of Moab. City of Ar just South of river (Click to Enlarge) Then - Whenever you spot a "then" pause and ask "When is then?" It will slow you down, help you understand the context and facilitate meditation. Then usually marks an something occurring in sequence. As they begin to enter Moab Jehovah speaks a word of admonition so that Israel does not get any ideas about taking some of the land from the Moabites. Once again we see God's faithfulness in leading and guiding Israel step by step as they approached the Promised Land. As an aside Moses review does not mention any of the events related to Balaam and the Moabite King Balak described in Numbers 22:1-25:18+ (culminating in Israel's sin at Baal-Peor which Moses does allude to in Dt 4:3+). The LORD said to me, 'Do not harass Moab, nor provoke (garah) them to war - The Moabites were the Israelites’ relatives through Lot and Esau and God had promised the land of Moab to Lot and his descendants (cf Ge 19:37). Harass (besiege, attack) (06696)(tsûr/sur) basically means to enclose and then to surround and besiege. It can refer to attacking, putting under duress, harassing or oppressing a people or nation (Dt 2:19, Dt 20:12 and Dt 20:19). It described the military practice of laying siege, usually to a city, by surrounding it and cutting off its supplies. For (term of explanation) - Why Israel was not to harass or provoke Moab. I will not give you any of their land as a possession, because I have given Ar to the sons of Lot as a possession - If Yahweh would not give Israel any of their land, they had better be warned and be careful not to try in on their own. Israel had attempted to take the Promised Land without God's presence and it cost them dearly. (Dt 1:41-44+). Ar was the capital city of Moab on the "northern border of Moab on southern bank of Arnon River (see map above) (Nu 21:15 , Nu 21:28). Israel celebrated its defeat with a proverbial taunt song (Nu 21:28). God refused to let Israel occupy Ar, having designated it for Lot's descendants, the Moabites (Deut 2:9 ). Israel could only pass through Ar (Deuteronomy 2:18), evidently the region controlled by the city-state. Ar provided provisions for the Israelites as they passed through on the last legs of the wilderness wandering (Deuteronomy 2:29).' (Holman Bible Atlas) NET Note on Ar - Ar was a Moabite city on the Arnon River east of the Dead Sea. It is mentioned elsewhere in the “Book of the Wars of Yahweh” (Num 21:15; cf. 21:28; Isa 15:1). Here it is synonymous with the whole land of Moab. NET Note on sons of Lot - The descendants 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 (Gen 19:30–38). Thus, these descendants of Lot in and around Ar were the Moabites. Possession (03425)(yerushshah from yarash = to posses) means possession, inheritance. It described the right to inherit the land. It could be an inheritance given or to a possession taken by force (or both). Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh received land east of the Jordan as a "possession" from God (Dt. 3:20; cf. Josh. 1:15; 12:6f). The descendants of Lot settled in Moab (Dt. 2:9), and in Ammon which God had given them as their possession (Dt 2:19), even as He had given did the descendants of Esau the area of Mount Seir (aka Edom - Dt. 2:5). After the civil war involving the tribe of Benjamin, the leaders of Israel were concerned that the depleted tribe not lose an inheritance; they planned "a possession" for Benjamin, according to Judg. 21:17. During the Babylonian siege of Judah, Jeremiah bought at Anathoth a parcel of land to which he retained the right of "possession" (Jer. 32:8). David declares that all those who fear God's name receive "an inheritance" (Ps. 61:5). It is interesting to note that about 400 years later King Jehoshaphat used this same word (yerushshah) in an to appeal to the Lord praying "Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them) see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance." (2 Chr 20:10-11) Note how he appeals first indirectly to the Abrahamic Covenant (which promised the land to Israel as a permanent possession) and also appealed to the LORD Himself referring to the land as Your possession! A good prayer! Yerushshah - 14x in 12v - inheritance(2), own(1), possession(11) - Deut. 2:5; Deut. 2:9; Deut. 2:12; Deut. 2:19; Deut. 3:20; Jos. 1:15; Jos. 12:6; Jos. 12:7; Jdg. 21:17; 2 Chr. 20:11; Ps. 61:5; Jer. 32:8 Deuteronomy 2:10 (The Emim lived there formerly, a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim. De 2:11 Ge 14:5 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LARGE PEOPLE IN THE PAST Most of the Bible versions interpret Dt 2:10-12 as parenthetical passages essentially representing an "editorial comment" (and thus the parenthesis sign added to the beginning of verse 10 and end of verse 12). One of the main points of this parenthetical statement is to show Israel had God had been faithful to His promise to give the land to Moab, even giving them victory over giant peoples (Emim, Anakites, Rephaites). If He had done this for Edom to fulfill His promise, He would do it for Israel to fulfill His promise. The Emim lived there formerly, a people as great, numerous, and tall as the Anakim - The giant people known as Emims were earlier inhabitants of Moab. The Emim are also called Rephaim (Dt 2:11). The only other mention in Scripture is in Genesis 14:5 "In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim." NET Note on Emim - Emites. These giant people, like the Anakites (Deut 1:28), were also known as Rephaites (v. 11). They appear elsewhere in the narrative of the invasion of the kings of the east where they are said to have lived around Shaveh Kiriathaim, perhaps 9 to 11 mi (15 to 18 km) east of the north end of the Dead Sea (Gen 14:5). Emim - (Hebrews Eynim', אֵימַים , terrors; Sept. Ο᾿μμαῖοι and Ο᾿μμείν; Auth. Vers. "Emims"), a numerous and warlike tribe of the ancient Canaanites, of gigantic stature, defeated by Chedorlaomer and his allies in the plain of Kiriathaim; they occupied, in the time of Abraham, the country east of the Jordan, afterwards possessed by the Moabites (Ge 14:5; Dt 2:10-11). It would appear, from a comparison of Ge 14:5-7 with Deut 2:10-12; Deut 2:20-23, that the whole country east of Jordan was, in primitive times, held by a race of giants, all probably of the same stock, comprehending the Rephaim on the north, next the Zuzim, after them the Emim, and then the Horim on the south; and that afterwards the kingdom of Bashan embraced the territories of the first; the country of the Ammonites, the second; that of the Moabites, the third; while Edom took in the mountains of the Horim. The whole of them. were attacked and pillaged by the Eastern kings who destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. (See REPHAIM). The Emim were related to the Anakim, and were generally called by the same name; but their conquerors, the Moabites, termed them Emimthat is, "Terrible men" (Deuteronomy 2:11) — most probably on account of their fierce aspect Anakim - 9v - Deut. 1:28; Deut. 2:10; Deut. 2:11; Deut. 2:21; Deut. 9:2; Jos. 11:21; Jos. 11:22; Jos. 14:12; Jos. 14:15 The Expositor's Bible Commentary - The parenthetical, explanatory nature of vv.10-12 and vv.20-23 has been cited as evidence that these are later additions rather than part of Moses' original speech. However, these speeches in Deuteronomy were made subsequent to the conquest of Transjordan (Dt 1:3-4), which (in Dt 3:20) is called the "possession" of the two and a half tribes. (The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 3: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel) QUESTION - Who were the Anakim / Anakites? ANSWER - The Anakim/Anakites were a formidable race of giant, warlike people (Deuteronomy 2:10, 21; 9:2) who occupied the lands of southern Israel near Hebron before the arrival of the Israelites (Joshua 15:13). The Anakim’s ancestry has been traced back to Anak, the son of Arba (Joshua 15:13; 21:11), who at that time was regarded as the “greatest man among the Anakim” (Joshua 14:15). The name “Anakim” most likely means “long-necked,” i.e., “tall.” The Hebrews thought them to be descendants of the Nephilim, a powerful race who dominated the pre-Flood world (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33). When the twelve Israelite spies returned from exploring the Promised Land, they gave a frightening report of “people great and tall” whom they identified as the sons of Anak (Deuteronomy 9:2). The Israelites, seized with fear and believing themselves to be mere “grasshoppers . . . in their sight” (Numbers 13:33), rebelled against God (Deuteronomy 1:26-28) and refused to enter the land God had promised them. The Israelites were exhorted by Moses (Deuteronomy 1:19) not to fear the Anakim, but they refused to trust God’s promises (Deuteronomy 1:32-33). As a result, God became angry (Deuteronomy 1:34-39) and prohibited the “evil generation” from entering the Promised Land; Joshua and Caleb were the only exceptions (Deuteronomy 1:35-36). Because of their fear of the Anakim and their rebellion against God, the children of Israel were forced to wander for another 38 years in the wilderness. During the conquest of Canaan, Joshua expelled the Anakim from the hill country, and Caleb finally drove them out of Hebron completely. However, a small remnant found refuge in the cities of Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (Joshua 11:22). Many Bible scholars speculate that the Anakim’s descendants were the Philistine giants David encountered (2 Samuel 21:15-22), including Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17:4-7). GotQuestions.org Deuteronomy 2:11 Like the Anakim, they are also regarded as Rephaim, but the Moabites call them Emim. Anakim: De 1:28 9:2 Nu 13:22,28,33 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LARGE PEOPLE REPHAIM = EMIM Like the Anakim (see above), they are also regarded as Rephaim, but the Moabites call them Emim - Rephaim is the general title which includes those known as Emim (fearful) by the Moabites and Zamzummim to the Ammonites. Some of them found refuge among the Philistines, and were still existing in the days of David. We know nothing of their origin. NET Note on Rephaites - The earliest reference to this infamous giant race is, again, in the story of the invasion of the eastern kings (Gen 14:5). They lived around Ashteroth Karnaim, probably modern Tell Ashtarah (cf. Deut 1:4), in the Bashan plateau east of the Sea of Galilee. Og, king of Bashan, was a Rephaite (Deut 3:11; Josh 12:4; 13:12). Other texts speak of them or their kinfolk in both Transjordan (Deut 2:20; 3:13) and Canaan ( Josh 11:21–22; 14:12, 15; 15:13–14; Judg 1:20; 1 Sam 17:4 ; 1 Chr 20:4–8). They also appear in extra-biblical literature, especially in connection with the city state of Ugarit. See C. L'Heureux, "Ugaritic and Biblical Rephaim," HTR 67 (1974): 265-74. Rephaim 17v - Gen. 14:5; Gen. 15:20; Deut. 2:11; Deut. 2:20; Deut. 3:11; Deut. 3:13; Jos. 12:4; Jos. 13:12; Jos. 15:8; Jos. 17:15; Jos. 18:16; 2 Sam. 5:18; 2 Sam. 5:22; 2 Sam. 23:13; 1 Chr. 11:15; 1 Chr. 14:9; Isa. 17:5 QUESTION - Who were the Rephaim? ANSWER - There are several passages in the Old Testament that speak of the Rephaim (or Rephaites), and the context describes them as giants. The name of these people literally means “terrible ones.” The Hebrew word Rephaim has two distinct meanings: first, in poetic literature it refers to departed spirits whose dwelling place was Sheol. It is a figurative description of the dead, similar to our concept of a ghost. The second meaning of Rephaim is “a mighty people with tall stature who lived in Canaan.” The word doesn’t seem to be ethno-centric like “Jew” or “Egyptian” but is more of a descriptive term. This second meaning will be the focus of this article. The first reference to the Rephaim is Genesis 14:5, when the Rephaim, Zuzim and Emim people were defeated in a battle with Kedorlaomer and his allies. When the Israelites first approached the Promised Land after the Exodus from Egypt, they were afraid to enter the land because it was filled with “giants” (the word used in Numbers 13:33 is Nephilim), the sons of Anak. Giants were widely scattered through Canaan, but were known by different local names, including Rephaim, Zuzim, Emim, and Anakim. Deuteronomy 2:20–21 says the Rephaim were strong and tall, like the Anakites. Og, king of Bashan, was described as the last of the Rephaim in his land (Deuteronomy 3:11), and his bed was thirteen feet long and six feet wide. Is it possible that the Rephaim were literal giants? The Septuagint uses the Greek words gigas and titanes (the source of the English titan) to translate these and other verses, so the ancient Jews certainly considered them to be giants. They are described generally as being between 7 and 10 feet tall and are called “mighty men.” The Egyptians wrote about giants who lived in the land of Canaan, and the folklore of other nations is full of such references. The people of the ancient world accepted the presence of giants as a fact of history, and the Bible presents them as enemies who were destroyed either by the judgment of God or in battle with men. So where did these giants come from? One theory, based on Genesis 6:1–4, is that fallen angels (the sons of God) had sexual relations with women, resulting in the birth of giants. This is remarkably similar to Greek and Roman myths about demi-gods, but the theory has some theological and biological obstacles. Another theory, also based on Genesis 6, is that the fallen angels, having knowledge of human genetics, indwelt certain men and women who would have the right traits to produce a race of giants and induced them to cohabit with each other. A third theory is that the giants were simply the result of normal genetic variability within a society. Whatever the origin of the Rephaim, it is certain that a race of “giants”—strong, tall people—did exist at one time, and many cultures had dealings with them. Even today, there are people who grow to extreme sizes, whether through genetic disorders like gigantism or through normal heredity. GotQuestions.org Deuteronomy 2:12 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.) Horites: De 2:22 Ge 14:6 36:20-30 1Ch 1:38-42 Esau dispossessed them, Ge 36:31-43 1Ch 1:43-54 as Israel did: De 2:22,32-37 Dt 3:1-11 Ge 36:20 Nu 21:21-35 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HORITES DISPOSSESSED BY ESAU The Horites formerly lived in Seir (Edom) but the sons of Esau dispossessed them and destroyed them from before them and settled in their place - This review of history for Israel's close relatives the Edomites would serve to encourage Israel to enter and dispossess the Canaanites, just as the Edomites had done by defeating the Horites thus allowing the Edomites to possess the land God had given them. In other words, Edom was successful in obtaining her inheritance and Israel would likewise be successful in obtaining the Promised Land. Just as Israel did to the land of their possession (yerushshah) which the LORD gave to them - This is referring to Sihon and Bashan who were destroyed and their land possessed. An alternative interpretation is that this might refer to the conquest of the entire Promised Land. If so, this would necessitate and addendum note by someone other than Moses who did not live to see this event. Some like Jack Deere favor this as a later insertion which leads him to comment Though it is impossible to determine precisely when Dt 2:10-12 were inserted, Dt 2:12 indicates that it was after the initial conquest of the land. Editorial notes in the Pentateuch do no harm to the doctrine of biblical inspiration (see "Date and Authorship" in the Introduction). Inspiration refers to the final product rather than to the manner of writings. The original texts of Scripture are "God-breathed" (2 Tim. 3:16), and therefore contain no errors, for God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). The Holy Spirit superintended the work of editors just as He did the historical research of Luke (Luke 1:1-4) so that the final words of the text, though obtained by different methods, are the words intended by God. It was this final text (including editorial insertions) that Jesus Christ pronounced perfect (e.g., Matt. 5:18; John 10:35). (Bible Knowledge Commentary) NET Note on Horites - (See also ISBE Article) Most likely these are the same as the well-known people of ancient Near Eastern texts described as Hurrians. They were geographically widespread and probably non-Semitic. Genesis speaks of them as the indigenous peoples of Edom that Esau expelled (Gen 36:8–19, 31–43) and also as among those who confronted the kings of the east (Gen 14:6). Horites - 10x in 10v - Gen. 14:6; Gen. 36:20; Gen. 36:21; Gen. 36:22; Gen. 36:29; Gen. 36:30; Num. 13:5; Deut. 2:12; Deut. 2:22; 1 Chr. 1:39 Dispossessed (03423)(yarash) means to take possession of, inherit, dispossess, to drive out. Possession of the land was directly connected to a person's relationship with the Lord; breaking the covenantal relationship led to dispossession. But even in exile in Babylon, Israelites awaited the day when they would repossess the land because of God's faithfulness to His covenant promise to Abraham (Jer. 30:3). Destroy (demolish, exterminate) (08045)(shamad) is a verb meaning "be destroyed, decimated, perished, overthrown, exterminated, i.e., pertaining to being in a totally ruined state, which can include death of a person or extinction of an entity." (Swanson) This verb is most commonly used in Deuteronomy and Joshua and refer to Israel destroying the Canaanites and taking over the Promised Land. The destruction depicted by shamad usually involves a rather sudden catastrophe such as warfare or a mass killing. For example in Dt 6:15 God says He will "wipe" Israel off the face of the earth, so great was His anger against them! It is worth noting that the last OT use of shamad is one of the greatest for the nation of Israel, the prophet Zechariah recording "And in that day (WHAT DAY - Read Zechariah 12:1-14+) I (JEHOVAH/YAHWEH HIMSELF) will set about to destroy all (HOW MANY?) the nations that come against Jerusalem." (Zechariah 12:9+) Anti-Semitism will be obliterated! The prophet Isaiah gives a prophecy that should startle every person who is not a believer in the Messiah - "Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it." (Isa. 13:9+) Deut. 1:27; Deut. 2:12; Deut. 2:21; Deut. 2:22; Deut. 2:23; Deut. 4:3; Deut. 4:26; Deut. 6:15; Deut. 7:4; Deut. 7:23; Deut. 7:24; Deut. 9:3; Deut. 9:8; Deut. 9:14; Deut. 9:19; Deut. 9:20; Deut. 9:25; Deut. 12:30; Deut. 28:20; Deut. 28:24; Deut. 28:45; Deut. 28:48; Deut. 28:51; Deut. 28:61; Deut. 28:63; Deut. 31:3; Deut. 31:4; Deut. 33:27; Deuteronomy 2:13 'Now arise and cross over the brook Zered yourselves.' So we crossed over the brook Zered. brook, Nu 13:23 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ZERED MARKS THE END OF THE WANDERING This verse connects with Dt 2:9, vv 10-12 being a parenthesis. Now - This was a crucial turning point in the history of Israel. Based on the fact that God could enable Edom and Moab to defeat and dispossess two strong enemies, it was time for Israel to move out and possess the land God had promised them. Crossing the Brook Zered marked a pivotal stage in Israel's journey to Canaan for it marked Israel's crossing from Edom into Moab and also marked the end of the 38 year period in the wilderness (with death of all the men of war over 20, except Caleb and Joshua) (cf Nu 14:29-38+, Nu 13:30+, Nu 14:6-10+) Arise and cross over the brook Zered yourselves - The word brook is the Hebrew word meaning torrent, torrent-valley or wadi. Note Yahweh was in full control of Israel's second journey to enter the Promised Land, from the beginning (Dt 1:40, Nu 14:25), in the "middle" (Dt 2:3-4), and toward the end of the journey (Dt 2:13). See map for Zered located to the south and east of the Dead Sea into which it emptied. (Or click this map and locate Zered labeled "Zered River" extending eastward at the southern tip of the Dead Sea). Zered is today known as Wadi el-HÌesa, and was the valley marking the boundary between Moab to the north and Edom to the south. God gives two commands to the second generation, which the NLT combines as "Get moving." It is interesting that God seems to take Israel by steps and does not just say rise up and cross the Jordan River. He is preparing them for their final conquest. In the parallel passage in Nu 21:12+ Moses recorded "From there (Oboth and Iye-abarim - see on map at southern tip of Dead Sea) they set out and camped in Wadi Zered." Wadi Zered is clearly synonymous with brook Zered, the word wadi representing " a silt-filled ravine where water runs during the rainy season, a seasonal brook, not a river. The silt often forms a “road.”" (Utley) The Expositor's Bible Commentary - Since the fighting men of the generation that had failed to enter the land from the south at Kadesh Barnea had died off and were eliminated from the camp, the Lord's hand was no longer against Israel (Dt 2:15) (ED NOTE: SADLY LATER IN THE TIME OF THE JUDGES "the hand of the LORD was against them for evil." Judges 2:15+). The Lord directed the new generation to cross the Zered, which flows into the southern end of the Dead Sea from the east (Dt 2:13), and then to cross the Arnon (Dt 2:24), which flows into the sea halfway up its eastern side. This brought them into the area controlled by the Amorites. (The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 3: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel) So we crossed over the brook Zered - Notice this time the second generation did not ask to send spies out ahead. The simply obeyed, which is always the shortest path to entering into God's blessing. They crossed over the brook Zered, heading north into the territory of Moab. NET Note on Wadi Zered - Now known as Wadi el-Ḥesa, this valley marked the boundary between Moab to the north and Edom to the south. Hastings Dictionary - The torrent-valley (nachal) of Zered is named in the itinerary of Israel’s journeyings, Numbers 21:12, immediately prior to their crossing of the Arnon (map), and in Deuteronomy 2:13 as the point that marked the close of the 38 years’ wanderings. Arise (stand, set, get) (06965) qum refers literally to the physical action of "rising up" (Ge 19:33, 35, Ru 3:14) or standing as the result of rising up (Josh 7:12-13). Uses of qum in Deuteronomy - Deut. 2:13; Deut. 2:24; Deut. 6:7; Deut. 8:18; Deut. 9:5; Deut. 9:12; Deut. 10:11; Deut. 11:19; Deut. 13:1; Deut. 16:22; Deut. 17:8; Deut. 18:15; Deut. 18:18; Deut. 19:11; Deut. 19:15; Deut. 19:16; Deut. 22:4; Deut. 22:26; Deut. 25:6; Deut. 25:7; Deut. 27:2; Deut. 27:4; Deut. 27:26; Deut. 28:7; Deut. 28:9; Deut. 28:36; Deut. 29:13; Deut. 29:22; Deut. 31:16; Deut. 32:38; Deut. 33:11; Deut. 34:10; Deuteronomy 2:14 "Now the time that it took for us to come from Kadesh-barnea until we crossed over the brook Zered was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war perished from within the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them. Kadesh-barnea: De 1:2,19,46 Nu 13:26 until all the generation: De 1:34-35 Nu 14:28-35 26:64,65 32:11 Ps 90:3,9 95:11 Eze 20:15 Heb 3:8-19 Jude 1:5 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 1:2+ (THIS REFERS TO THE FIRST JOURNEY) It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh-barnea. Deuteronomy 1:19+ (THIS REFERS TO THE FIRST JOURNEY) “Then we set out from Horeb, and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw on the way to the hill country of the Amorites, just as the LORD our God had commanded us; and we came to Kadesh-barnea. Deuteronomy 1:46+ (THIS IS AFTER THEY REFUSED TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND) “So you remained in Kadesh many days, the days that you spent there. Deuteronomy 1:34-35+ “Then the LORD heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, 35 ‘Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers, Numbers 14:28-35+ “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will surely do to you; 29 your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me. 30 ‘Surely you shall not come into the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 ‘Your children, however, whom you said would become a prey–I will bring them in, and they will know the land which you have rejected. 32 ‘But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. 33‘Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until your corpses lie in the wilderness. 34‘According to the number of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My opposition. 35‘I, the LORD, have spoken, surely this I will do to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against Me. In this wilderness they shall be destroyed, and there they will die.’” PROPHECY FULFILLED AS MEN OF WAR PERISHED Now the time that it took for us to come from Kadesh-barnea (Qadesh Barnea) until we crossed over the brook Zered (map) was thirty-eight years, until all the generation of the men of war perished from within the camp, as the LORD had sworn to them - There are two "until's" the first marking the end of the wilderness wandering and the second coinciding with the death of all the generation of the men of war, every male between 20 and 50 years of age (cf. Ex. 30:14; 38:26; Nu 1:3; 14:29). From this time on it was only the second generation of Israelites (excepting Joshua, Caleb and Moses). THOUGHT - WASTED YEARS - Thirty-eight wasted years because of unbelief and disobedience to God's clear command. This truth should put a bit of the fear of the Lord in all of us, for we are no better than Israel and it is possible we could commit a sin which resulted in entering into years of wasted life because of failure of obedience. This thought truly frightens me. While it is not exactly the same, Paul's fear described in 1 Cor 9:27+ is a close parallel for Paul wrote " I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." Sworn (take an oath)(07650) shaba from sheba = seven) to swear, to take an oath, to make or swear an oath, swearing to someone, thus putting oneself under obligation to someone. "In general, shāvaʿ is employed in mainly these contexts: covenant making, where the parties involved made vows, oaths or promises to one another (Deut. 4:31; 1 Sa 20:42); oath taking, which was a serious transaction in Israel and involved a person's taking upon himself (and possibly others) a curse if that person did not carry out his oath faithfully; vow making, which was solemn and not to be broken (cf. Nu 30:2)." (CBL) Deuteronomy 2:15 "Moreover the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from within the camp until they all perished. the hand of the: Judges 2:10-15 1Sa 5:6,9,11 7:13 Ps 32:4 Ps 78:33 Ps 90:7-9 Ps 106:26 Isa 66:14 1Co 10:5 Deuteronomy 2 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Judges 2:10-15+ (HAND OF THE LORD AGAIN ON ISRAEL BUT NOW THE SECOND GENERATION WHO DISOBEYED) All that generation (THE GENERATION AFTER JOSHUA) also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. (NOTE 2 PROBLEM - IGNORANCE OF YAHWEH AND HIS WORKS, HIS PERSON AND HIS POWER) 11 Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, 12 and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14 The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed. THE HAND OF THE LORD While Moses had just stated the first generation had perished, it is as if God wanted to underscore that they did not just die of "natural" causes per se, but they died because it was the will of the LORD. Moreover the hand of the LORD was against them - NET - "Indeed, it was the very hand of the LORD that eliminated them!" Moses made it crystal clear to the second generation that the rebellious first generation did not die of natural causes but of a "supernatural cause" so to speak. This would have served as a warning to the second generation of the danger of disobeying Yahweh's commands! It is not a good thing when the hand of the LORD is against anyone. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband Uriah, David recorded " day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah." (Ps 32:4) Related Resource: Interesting Analysis on Descriptions of God as Human (Anthropomorphic Language) - Bob Utley (Includes "Reasons for the use of this type of language") To destroy them from within the camp until they all perished - NIV = until He (Yahweh) had completely eliminated them from the camp." Don't miss who destroyed them! As Paul says in the NT "Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were laid low in the wilderness." (1Co 10:5+) The Hebrew verb destroy (haman) as noted below means to confuse as God did to the pursuing Egyptians in Ex 14:24+ ("brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.") In this context it clearly describes God's destruction of all Israel's men of war over 20. The Septuagint uses the verb exanalisko (cf root verb analisko) which means to utterly destroy or consume (exanalisko was also used in what turned out to be a prophetic warning in Ex 33:3+ = "lest I destroy [exanalisko] you." which is exactly what He did here in Dt 2:15! God's warnings must always be heeded!) Jack Deere points out that "because of their rebellion against the Lord this first generation of Israelite warriors actually found themselves objects of God's "holy war." They left the protective care of His hand in their arrogant rebellion only to find that hand turned against them as they endured painful deaths outside the Promised Land. By reminding the people of this, Moses said in effect that God is faithful to His promises and His threats, and has the power to execute both." (Bible Knowledge Commentary) NET Note on within the camp - Heb "from the middle of." Although many recent English versions leave this expression untranslated, the point seems to be that these soldiers did not die in battle but "within the camp." Destroy (02000) hamam means to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, throw into commotion. "The basic meaning of this word seems to be "to give attention to" in the negative sense, that is, "harass," "trouble," often with the purpose of creating panic." Of the 13 uses below God is the subject in 10 verses. The word is also used to indicate the effect of a cart wheel on grain (Isaiah 28:28). But some make wheel the object and translate "set in motion." The word describes God's treatment of the Israelites over forty until they died in the wilderness. He made sure of their death (Dt. 2:15). Jack Deere adds that "The verb for "panic or confuse" (hamam) is used for the divinely inspired panic that God sent on many of Israel's enemies so that they became too confused or terrified to fight competently." (See examples below) Yahweh used hamam in a promise to Israel “I will send My terror 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." (Ex 23:27+, cf Josh 10:10 "Yahweh confounded hem before Israel." and Jdg 4:15 "Yahweh routed Sisera". See also similar uses of God confusing and routing the enemy - 1 Sa 7:10, 2 Sa 22:15, 2 Chr 15:6, Ps 18:14, Ps 144:6). John Maxwell - I enjoy collecting books written by or about John Wesley. He and his followers were particularly concerned about “dying well.” Dr. John Whitehead’s account of John Wesley’s last days points out the importance of finishing life victoriously. In the message recorded at Wesley’s funeral, Dr. Whitehead notes that as Wesley lay dying, his friends entered his room and inquired about his spiritual health. Then they spent time praising God for victory at the close of his life. It was Wesley himself who warned: “Let, therefore, none presume on past mercies, as if they were out of danger.” In other words, never take God for granted. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews says, “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (Heb. 4:1–2). An entire generation lost everything at the door of the Promised Land because of their disobedience. What a waste. “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Gal. 5:7). (Preacher's Commentary) Related Resources: Resources on the Hand of the Lord Deuteronomy 2:16 "So it came about when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people, GOD KEEPS HIS PROMISE OF PUNISHMENT So it came about when all the men of war had finally perished from among the people (cf Nu 14:29-38+) - God had promised that the first generation would not enter the Promised Land and here we see His faithfulness to keep even His promises of punishment. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. (Gal 6:6-7+).