Deuteronomy 2:1
Then we turned back and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea, as the LORD had instructed me, and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir.
Then we turned back
This phrase indicates a change in direction for the Israelites. After their initial refusal to enter the Promised Land due to fear and lack of faith, God commanded them to turn back into the wilderness. This turning back symbolizes a period of discipline and preparation, as God was not yet ready to lead them into Canaan due to their disobedience.

and headed for the wilderness by way of the Red Sea
The wilderness journey by the way of the Red Sea refers to the Israelites' movement southward, away from the Promised Land. The Red Sea, or Yam Suph, is significant as it was the site of God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This journey back into the wilderness represents a return to a place of testing and reliance on God, echoing their earlier experiences of God's provision and guidance.

as the LORD had instructed me
This highlights Moses' obedience to God's command. Despite the people's rebellion, Moses remained faithful to God's instructions. It underscores the importance of leadership that adheres to divine guidance, even when the path is difficult or seems regressive. This obedience is a recurring theme in Moses' leadership and is a model for faithfulness.

and for many days we wandered around Mount Seir
Mount Seir is the mountainous region inhabited by the Edomites, descendants of Esau. The wandering around Mount Seir signifies a prolonged period of waiting and testing. This time was necessary for the older generation to pass away and for a new generation to rise, one that would trust in God's promises. The wandering also serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the patience required in God's timing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is recounting their journey and the instructions given by God.

2. Israelites
The people of God, who are journeying through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.

3. Wilderness
The desert area where the Israelites wandered for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

4. Red Sea
The body of water that the Israelites crossed miraculously during their exodus from Egypt.

5. Hill Country of Seir
The region associated with the descendants of Esau, where the Israelites wandered.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Instructions
The Israelites' journey was directed by God, emphasizing the importance of following His guidance even when the path seems difficult or unclear.

Consequences of Disobedience
The wandering in the wilderness serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and lack of faith in God's promises.

God's Faithfulness in Difficult Times
Despite the Israelites' failures, God remained faithful, providing for their needs and guiding them toward the Promised Land.

Spiritual Journey and Growth
The physical journey of the Israelites mirrors our spiritual journey, where challenges and detours can lead to growth and deeper reliance on God.

Trust in God's Timing
The extended period in the wilderness teaches us to trust in God's timing and His plans, which are often beyond our understanding.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the Israelites' journey through the wilderness reflect our own spiritual journeys today?

2. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' obedience and disobedience in following God's instructions?

3. How can we apply the concept of trusting in God's timing to our current life situations?

4. In what ways does the account of the Israelites' wandering encourage us to remain faithful during difficult times?

5. How do the connections to other scriptures, such as Hebrews 3-4, deepen our understanding of the spiritual significance of the Israelites' journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 14
Describes the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, highlighting God's deliverance and power.

Numbers 14
Details the Israelites' rebellion and the resulting punishment of wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.

Genesis 36
Provides background on Esau and the region of Seir, connecting the Israelites' journey with their ancestral history.

Psalm 78
Reflects on the Israelites' journey and God's faithfulness despite their disobedience.

Hebrews 3-4
Discusses the spiritual significance of the Israelites' wilderness experience as a lesson in faith and obedience.
A New DepartureC. S. Robinson, D. D.Deuteronomy 2:1-7
A Sermon for the New YearW. E. Sellers.Deuteronomy 2:1-7
A Short Account of the Long Story of Israel in the WildernessHenry, MatthewDeuteronomy 2:1-7
Comfort in the WildernessW. Hoyt.Deuteronomy 2:1-7
Forty YearsDeuteronomy 2:1-7
The Divine Recall to DutyJ. L. Williams, B. A.Deuteronomy 2:1-7
God's Faithfulness in Dealing with Nations Outside the CovenantR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 2:1-23
International RelationshipsD. Davies Deuteronomy 2:1-23
People
Ammonites, Anakites, Avvites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Emites, Esau, Geber, Horites, Moabites, Moses, Rephaites, Seir, Sihon, Zamzummites
Places
Ammon, Ar, Arabah, Aroer, Caphtor, Elath, Ezion-geber, Gaza, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kedemoth, Moab, Mount Seir, Red Sea, Seir, Valley of the Arnon, Zered
Topics
Along, Circled, Compassed, Directed, Direction, Encircled, Hill, Journey, Journeyed, Journeying, Mount, Red, Round, Route, Seir, Se'ir, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Turn, Waste, Wilderness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 1:45

     5147   deafness
     5148   ear
     5198   weeping
     6109   alienation

Deuteronomy 1:43-45

     8617   prayer, effective

Library
A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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