Question 1

What is happening in this passage of Israel’s journey?

Accepted Answer

In this passage Moses is reminding the people how God led them after their long wandering. They turned away from Mount Seir, passed by the land of their relatives in Edom, Moab, and Ammon, and were told not to attack them or take their land because God had given those places to them. During these years God provided everything Israel needed, while the unbelieving generation died out. Then God told them to cross the Arnon and face Sihon, king of Heshbon. Sihon refused peaceful passage, attacked, and God handed him and his cities over to Israel.

Question 2

Why were the Israelites told not to attack Edom, Moab, or Ammon?

Accepted Answer

God made it very clear that Israel must not fight or “distress” Edom, Moab, or Ammon. Edom came from Esau, Jacob’s brother, and Moab and Ammon came from Lot’s family. God had already given those lands to them as their possessions. Israel was to respect those boundaries, buy food and water with money, and pass through in peace. This shows that God rules over which nations get which lands, and His people must honor that, even if those nations have not treated them well in the past.

Question 3

What does this passage teach about God’s provision in the wilderness?

Accepted Answer

Moses reminds the people that for forty years God watched over their journey. God had blessed the work of their hands and knew every step they took through the great wilderness. They lacked nothing, even though they were in a harsh land. Because God had provided so well, they could pay for food and water from others instead of stealing or forcing it. This shows that God can care for His people even in hard places, and that His blessing should lead to honest and fair dealing with others.

Question 4

Why did it take thirty-eight years to cross from Kadesh-barnea to the brook Zered?

Accepted Answer

The long delay was not because the distance was far, but because of God’s judgment on the unbelieving generation. Earlier the people had refused to trust God and go into the promised land, so God swore that all the men of war from that generation would die in the wilderness. Those thirty-eight years were the time it took for that generation to be “wasted out” from among the host. The passage says God’s hand was against them until they were consumed, showing that His warnings and threats are as sure as His promises.

Question 5

Who were the giants mentioned, like the Emims and Zamzummims?

Accepted Answer

The passage mentions several groups described as giants, such as the Emims in Moab’s land and the Zamzummims in Ammon’s land, as well as the Anakims. They were people who were great, many, and tall. In the past, these strong nations had lived in the land, but God allowed Moab, Ammon, and Esau’s descendants to drive them out and take their places. This history was meant to remind Israel that powerful enemies are no match for God’s plans, and to keep them from pride when they themselves entered and took land from other nations.

Question 6

Why did God harden Sihon king of Heshbon’s heart?

Accepted Answer

When Moses sent peaceful words to Sihon, asking only to pass through and pay for food and water, Sihon refused. The passage says God hardened Sihon’s spirit and made his heart stubborn so that Sihon would come out to fight and be handed over to Israel. This shows that God rules even over the decisions of kings. Sihon was not innocent; he resisted peace and opposed God’s people. God used his stubbornness to carry out judgment on him and to give Israel their first victory east of the Jordan, just as He had promised.

Question 7

Why did Israel destroy Sihon’s cities and people so completely?

Accepted Answer

After Sihon attacked, God gave him and his cities into Israel’s hand. Israel struck down Sihon, his sons, and all his people, and destroyed the men, women, and little ones in those cities, keeping only the cattle and other goods as spoil. This severe judgment fits with God’s earlier curse on the wicked peoples of that region and His plan to give the land to Israel. It was not random violence but an act of judgment God had warned about. The passage also shows this was not Israel’s pattern with every nation, since they were forbidden to touch Edom, Moab, and Ammon.

Question 8

What does this passage show about God’s character and rule over nations?

Accepted Answer

This chapter shows that God rules over all lands and peoples. He gives Mount Seir to Esau’s family, Ar to Lot’s children, and Sihon’s land to Israel. He removes giants before some nations and puts fear of Israel into others. He blesses Israel so they lack nothing, yet He also judges the unbelieving generation and the hostile Amorites. We see both kindness and severity: God is patient, provides for His people, and keeps His promises, but He also sets firm boundaries and brings down those who resist Him and refuse peace.

Question 9

How can this passage about Israel’s journey apply to my life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage reminds you that God leads step by step, even through long and confusing seasons. There are times to wait and times to move on, and God’s timing may feel slow but has a purpose. It also shows the need to respect the limits God sets, even when you feel strong enough to push past them. God’s care in the wilderness encourages you to trust Him to provide what you truly need, and His judgment on unbelief warns you not to harden your heart but to respond to His word with faith and obedience.

Deuteronomy 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.

Wanderings in the Wilderness

The Defeat of Sihon

Wanderings in the Wilderness

Cross References

Deuteronomy 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.

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Wanderings in the Wilderness

The Defeat of Sihon

Wanderings in the Wilderness

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