Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 2
Helpful thoughts:
- As Moses continues his “introduction” to his preaching of the law, chapter 2 contains his recounting of the years God kept Israel in the wilderness and the military victory over King Sihon and the Amorites.
- Verses 5, 9 and 19 remind Israel and the reader that God is the giver and/or protector of all lands. He is not only the God of a region of the world or a specific people group. He is sovereign Lord over all (even if many do not acknowledge Him)!
- As God had hardened the heart of Pharaoh, so He did with Sihon (Verse 30).
- The end of verse 30 (“as he is this day”) conveys the purpose for the telling of this historical account. Israel was to learn and remember; God is sovereign, He fulfills His every promise, they were to rest in Him and to trust and obey.
Questions to consider:
- Whom had the Moabites defeated in order to inherit their land (Verses 10-12)? Why would God want Israel to know this (See 1:28)?
- How could this have stirred up some remorse in Israel for their past lack of faith but also confidence in the Lord going forward? What was He obviously capable of doing for them?
- How can the ability of God (His omnipotence) give us courage to obey His commands? Is there anything in this life that God cannot see or govern? What commands of Scripture come to mind which you can grow in pursuing, believing in His ability to carry you through as He sees fit?