Deuteronomy 2 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 2 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• These events occurred at the end of the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

• The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites’ departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.    

• Sihon – King of the Amorites, king of Heshbon.

• Og – King of Bashan.

WHERE:

• Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).

• This chapter tells the reader about the Israelites’ travels through Seir, Moab, Ammon, and the land of the Amorites.

OUTLINE:

• 38 MORE YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS (2:1-15):

  • *Deuteronomy 2 continues Moses’ retelling of the history of Israel from the time they left Egypt to their arrival at the border of Canaan (approximately 40 years).

  • At the end of Deuteronomy 1, God cursed the Israelites to wander in the wilderness because of their lack of faith in His ability to give them the land of Canaan.

  • They spent “many days” (38 years; 2:14) in the wilderness before God gave them permission to return to Canaan.

  • God told the Israelites to travel through the land of Seir, but they were not to fight with the people because they were descendants of Jacob’s brother, Esau.

  • After Seir, Moses led the people through the land of the Moabites, but once again, God prohibited Israel from fighting with the inhabitance because they were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew.

  • The Israelites’ crossing of the Zered brook (2:13) marked the end of their wandering in the wilderness.

  • Every person in the older generations died during the 38 years in the wilderness. This was God’s curse for their faithlessness (1:35).

• ISREAL ADVANCES TOWARDS CANAAN AND DEFEATS SIHON (2:16-37):

  • God told the Israelites to continue their journey into the land of the Ammonites. They were not to attack the Ammonites because they, like the Moabites, were descendants of Lot.

  • Then, God directed Moses to lead the people into the land of the Amorites, ruled by king Sihon.

  • Moses attempted to make peaceful arrangements to travel through Sihon’s land, but God hardened Sihon’s heart, and he refused to let Israel pass. 

  • Sihon brought his army out against Israel, but the Lord gave Israel the victory.

  • The Israelites completely destroyed Sihon’s kingdom. Moses said, “we captured all his cities at that time and devoted to destruction every city, men, women, and children” (2:34).

APPLICATION:

• This chapter is a good example of how God directs the rise and fall of nations.

• God preserved certain nations with plans to use them in the future (Moab, Ammon, etc), but He determined judgement on other wicked nations (Amorites).

• He hardened the heart of evil rulers to lead their nations into ruin (just as He did with Pharaoh and the Egyptians; Exodus 9:12).

• In this story, God organized these blessings and overthrows using the people of Israel.

• God’s power over the nations didn’t end with Moses and Israel, the Old Testament is full of examples of God exalting and humbling nations.

• This is still happening today. It is God who appoints world leaders and allows nations to either flourish or diminish (Romans 13:1-2).