“In Se‘ir the Horim used to live, but the descendants of ‘Esav dispossessed and destroyed them, settling in their place. Isra’el did similarly in the land it came to possess, which Adonai gave to them.”-Deuteronomy 2:12
We are continuing on with Moses’ recounting of Israel’s journey up to the point in time when they will soon be entering the Promised Land.
Let’s pick back up from verse 12.
We’re told a people group called the Horites used to live in an area called SEIR (meaning Edom) but were displaced by the descendants of Esau.
We’re given an interesting reason why the descendants of Esau were able to displace the Horites.
The Scripture tells us…
“…the descendants of ‘Esau dispossessed and destroyed them, settling in their place. Israel did similarly in the land it came to possess, which Adonai gave to them.”
The implication is clear here folks and it substantiates something else I mentioned earlier.
Just as God gave the land of Canaan to Israel, he also assigned earthly territory to the gentile nations as well.
Esau displaced the Horites because God gave them that territory.
Indeed, HASHEM is the Lord of all, not just Israel.
Let’s take a look at verse 14.
“Thirty-eight years passed from the time we left Kadesh Barnea until we crossed the Zered Valley.”
Well, there you have it folks.
Specific confirmation regarding EXACTLY how much time elapsed from the first generation of Israel’s rebellion (the 12 scouts incident) to Israel crossing over the border to enter Moab.
And remember, the non-negotiable prerequisite for the second generation of Israel to be able to enter the Promised Land was that the 1st Generation had to first die out.
This happened during the 38-year period which started immediately after the 12 Scouts Rebellion.
Onward.
We’re next told Israel ran into a people group known as the Ammonites.
God makes it clear to Israel that the instructions He gave to them concerning Moab and Edom are to apply just as equally to Ammon.
In other words, don’t you dare touch them!
Why?
Because through Lot’s line, Ammon are descendants of Abraham.
Here’s the Scripture reference:
“So both of Lot’s daughters
became pregnant by their father.
The older daughter had a son,
and she named him Moab;
he is the father of the Moabites of today.
The younger daughter also had a son,
and she named him Ben-Ammi;
he is the father of the Ammonites of today.”
-Genesis 19:36-38
I know what you’re thinking.
The answer is…
…nope…
…it doesn’t matter that the Ammonites came into existence via incestuous sex.
God protects those who are His own.
Interestingly, we’re told there were still some of those evil giants called REPHAIM still living among the Ammonites.
I’m sure that knowledge made it all the more easier to obey God’s command to not touch the Ammonites.
Heck, I wouldn’t want to go up and battle a bunch of evil giants.
We’re also told the Ammonites displaced a group of people called the ZAMZUMMIM.
This word has a weird ring to it, doesn’t it?
Trying saying it out loud three times real fast and you’ll see what I mean.
When you look at a “dynamic translation” of this verse, it says…
“…the people whose speech sounds like buzzing bees”.
What this means, is that when the Israelites heard them speak, to their ears, it sounded like a bunch of bees buzzing around like there was just no tomorrow.
Next, let’s take a look at verse 24.
“And as for the Avvites who lived in villages as far as Gaza, the Caphtorites coming out from Caphtor destroyed them and settled in their place.”
We’re next told of a people called the AVVIM and wouldn’t you know it?
They were occupying an area we hear about in the news practically every day.
The good ole’ Gaza Strip baby!
As we move forward, we’ll later see this area taken over by the Philistines.
Finally, let’s move on to my favorite part of this chapter.
Take a look at verses 24-25!!!
“Set out now and cross the Arnon Gorge. See, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his country. Begin to take possession of it and engage him in battle. This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.”
AHHH YEEEAAAAHHHHH!!!
Finally, finally…
THE ORDER IS GIVEN TO ISRAEL TO CHARGE…
…WITH GOD’S BLESSING!!!
And just a few words later, Israel is told to…
“Begin the occupation”.
Up until now, Israel was being instructed on who they could NOT go to war with.
Here they are being told who they can go to war with…
…starting with the Amorites.
Chapter One finished off with Israel attempting wage an unauthorized or to be more accurate an UN-HOLY war…
…and as a result were soundly defeated.
Chapter Two finishes off with Israel waging a true God-ordained HOLY WAR…
…and as a result, victory is 100% guaranteed.
In fact, the from the perspective of heaven, this war is already done.
Remember, with God, anything is possible.
Without God, even the simple things become impossible.
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