Deuteronomy 2:8 - Meaning and Application

It is worth noticing that Moses, speaking of the Edomites in Deuteronomy 2:8, calls them “our brothers, the children of Esau.” They had not treated Israel kindly, since they refused safe passage through their land, yet Moses still uses this family language. Even when relatives fail us, we should still remember the relationship and do our duty as far as we can.

In these verses, Moses gives the background of the nations he is talking about, the Moabites, Edomites, and Ammonites. We already know from other parts of Scripture whose descendants they were, but here he explains how they came to live in those lands. They were not the first people there. The Moabites lived in a country once held by the Emim, a large people whose name means “terrible ones,” and they were as tall as the Anakim, or perhaps even fiercer (Deuteronomy 2:10, 11). The Edomites drove out the Horites from Mount Seir and took their land (Deuteronomy 2:12, 22; Genesis 36:20). The Ammonites also took land that had once belonged to giants called the Zamzummim, probably the same people called the Zuzim in Genesis 14:5 (Deuteronomy 2:20, 21).

Moses also mentions an older case. The Caphtorim, who were related to the Philistines (Genesis 10:14), drove out the Avim and settled in their place (Deuteronomy 2:23). Bishop Patrick thought these Avites may later have moved into Assyria and become the people mentioned in 2 Kings 17:31. These events are recorded for several reasons.

First, they show how quickly the world was filled after the flood. In some parts of the world, land was already so crowded that one group had to drive out another to settle there. Second, they show that speed and strength do not control the outcome. Giants were pushed out by people of ordinary size. Likely, as with the giants before the flood (Genesis 6:4), their pride and evil brought God’s judgment on them, and their great strength could not protect them. Third, they remind us how unstable earthly property is. Land changes hands over time, as one family declines and another grows.

Fourth, this history was meant to encourage Israel as they moved toward Canaan. If God’s providence had done this for the Moabites and Ammonites, then God’s promise would surely be enough for Israel, his special people. It also exposed the unbelief of those who were afraid of the sons of Anak, since these conquered giants are compared with them (Deuteronomy 2:11, 21).

Moses then describes Israel’s journey toward Canaan. They passed through the wilderness of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:8) and later crossed the brook or valley of Zered (Deuteronomy 2:13). There Moses points out that God’s warning was being fulfilled. The Lord had said that none of the people counted at Mount Sinai would see the promised land (Numbers 14:23). Now, as Israel finally turned toward Canaan and could almost see it, Moses notes that the old generation had all died out, and not one man remained (Deuteronomy 2:14).

In ordinary life, about thirty-eight years is enough for a new generation to rise while the old one mostly passes away. Here, though, the change was complete. Only Caleb and Joshua remained from the first generation, because the hand of the Lord was against the rest (Deuteronomy 2:15). Those whom God opposes will keep wasting away until they are gone. Israel was not called to fight the Canaanites until all the old soldiers, those used to hardship and trained in war in Egypt, had died out among the people (Deuteronomy 2:16). Then, when a newly raised army, trained in the wilderness, conquered Canaan, it would be clear that the power belonged to God, not to men.

Moses also warns Israel not to trouble the Moabites or the Ammonites, or take any of their land away from them. “Do not harass them or fight with them” (Deuteronomy 2:9). Even though the Moabites had wanted to destroy Israel (Numbers 22:6), Israel was not to seek their ruin. If others mean us harm, that does not give us permission to harm them in return.

Moses gives two reasons why the Moabites and Ammonites were to be left alone. First, they were the children of Lot, the righteous man who kept his integrity in Sodom (Deuteronomy 2:9, 19). Children often receive earthly blessings because of their parents’ godliness, even if they themselves do not fully follow in that faith. Second, the land they lived in had been given to them by God, and he did not intend it for Israel. Even wicked people have a right to the outward possessions God has allowed them to keep, and others must not rob them. Like weeds that are left in the field until harvest, they are allowed their place for a time. God gives and preserves worldly blessings even to the wicked, to show that these are not the best things. He has better things reserved for his own children.