The New Generation and New Direction - Deuteronomy 2

You may have wondered enough in the wilderness. It may be the time to change and move in a new direction. That was the command God gave to Moses to lead the next generation north to prepare to enter the promised land. The only thing the next generation needed was to be obedient to the commandment of God and they would have great success. That is the major lesson for us. Only do what God commands and do NOT what God prohibits.

New Direction and a Bright Future - Time to Go into the Promised Land

The Chapter begins with a new plan and new direction - ‘You have been traveling around this mountain country long enough. Turn northward Deu 2:3'. 

They have wandered enough in the wilderness. It was 38 years terminated in the event that the first generation, except for Joshua and Caleb, had died (2:14-16).

God's Commands were Specific

There were territories that they were not to attack and there were others they were to destroyed. 

God's Allotted Each Race their specific territory.

The sons of Esau, the Edomites and the sons of Lot, the Moabites and Ammonites were to be left alone. (Deu 2:5-22). 

God always Provide for His People to do His Work 

God had blessed their work so that they had wealth to trade with Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites. (2:7-8). Even for the forty years in the wilderness, God miraculously fed them.

God also Give Assurance and Promises

Before they attack the Amorites, God assured them in v24 ‘Rise up, set out on your journey and go over the Valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession, and contend with him in battle.' 

The Obedient Next Generation

The key for success, victory, or a good life is very simple. Do as the obedient next generation did. He hears the commands of God and they faithfully executed them. Deu 2:34-37. 

They acknowledged that it was God who gave them the victory. It is very easy to attribute such success to our own strengths.

They positively followed God's commands and they also did not violate God's prohibitions.

From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The LORD our God gave all into our hands.  Deu 2:36

Only to the land of the sons of Ammon you did not draw near, that is, to all the banks of the river Jabbok and the cities of the hill country, whatever the LORD our God had forbidden us.  Deu 2:37  

Lim Liat (c) 13 Feb 2017