DEUTERONOMY 2

I.   Chapter 2:1-15 - a description of the wandering of Israel.

A.     It doesn't take very long to describe this 38 year period.

1.       There is no real record of the events of this period because time spent in rebellion is lost time.

2.       If we live our lives in rebellion, our works will be burned up at the judgment.

B.     Verse 4-8 - God instructs Israel to leave the descendants of Esau alone.

1.       This would be particularly hard on Israel for Esau and Jacob are constantly at war.

2.       Israel would see Esau resting comfortably in their land given to them by God, and this would make their wanderings even worse.

3.       Israel could buy meat and water from Esau.  This shows that Israel had more than manna to eat.

C.     verse 9-12 - Israel will not bother the Moabites for God has given them their land.

D.     verse 13-15 - At the end of 38 years all the rebellious generation are dead and it is time for the next generation to enter the promised land.

II.   Verse 16-23 - This new generation is instructed to leave the children of Ammon (descendants of Lot) alone, for God has given them their land.

III.   Verse 24-25 - The delayed promise of God will finally come to pass.

A.     The promise will not come to pass like Israel thinks it will.

1.       They shall begin to inherit the land before they pass over Jordan.

2.       God always gives more than we think He will give.

B.     God doesn't always fulfill His promises to us like we think He will, but he always gives more than we think is possible.

IV.   Verse 26-37 - The overcoming of Sihon, King of Heshbon.

A.     This land is located on the west of Jordan.

B.     Israel approached Sihon with a desire to pass through their land.

1.       Sihon refused because God would give Israel their land.

2.       The battle was fought at Jahaz and Israel won.

3.       The record of the battle is in Numbers 21:21-35.