(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 2:1-23)

Although Israel could have taken possession of the land that the Lord promised their ancestors early on in their journey, it was because of their lack of faith and trust in the Lord that they were led to wander in the wilderness.

I imagine wandering in the wilderness would take its toll on the Israelites, make them restless, and perhaps lose hope and patience in waiting for the land promised to their forefathers. Would this impatience lead to a temptation to take instead of continuing to wait to receive?

We read in today’s Scripture, the Israelites passing through several different pieces of land, each of which the Lord warned not to provoke the inhabitants to war.

5 Do not provoke them to war, for I will not give you any of their land, not even enough to put your foot on. I have given Esau the hill country of Seir as his own.

9 Then the Lord said to me, “Do not harass the Moabites or provoke them to war, for I will not give you any part of their land. I have given Ar to the descendants of Lot as a possession.”

18 “Today you are to pass by the region of Moab at Ar. 19 When you come to the Ammonites, do not harass them or provoke them to war, for I will not give you possession of any land belonging to the Ammonites. I have given it as a possession to the descendants of Lot.”

Israel had been wandering around in the wilderness with promise of a home, but up to this point still did not have a home. Could they wait for the Lord, or would they attack, provoke the inhabitants to war, and take what they were promised and had been longing for?

We read in today’s Scripture that these pieces of land were promised by the Lord to the descendants of Esau and Lot. This land was not for Israel, they would have to wait. This reminds us that as Christians and as a church in God’s kingdom, that we have to remember that we shouldn’t expect that every blessing and every opportunity is only for us.

Yes, God has a plan for us, a plan for our church, but God also has a plan for all of His children, all His churches, and for the whole world. Let us wait for the Lord, rather than try to take what is reserved for others. As we wait, may it be an opportunity to learn patience, endurance, and to trust in the Lord.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 2