Deuteronomy 2:2
At this time the LORD said to me,
At this time
This phrase indicates a specific moment in the narrative of Israel's journey. It refers to a period after the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. The timing is significant as it marks a transition from wandering to preparing to enter the Promised Land. This moment is pivotal in the history of Israel, as it signifies a new beginning and a fulfillment of God's promises.

the LORD said to me
The phrase emphasizes direct communication from God to Moses, highlighting Moses' role as a prophet and leader. This divine communication underscores the authority of the message and the importance of obedience to God's instructions. Throughout the Pentateuch, God speaks to Moses to guide the Israelites, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. This communication is consistent with other instances where God provides guidance, such as in Exodus 3:4 when God calls Moses from the burning bush. It also foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), serving as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who guides and instructs His people.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who receives direct communication from God.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.

4. Wilderness Journey
The context of this passage, where the Israelites are wandering due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

5. Mount Seir
The region associated with the descendants of Esau, which the Israelites are instructed to pass by.
Teaching Points
Divine Guidance
God speaks to His people, providing direction and purpose. We must be attentive to His voice in our lives through prayer and Scripture.

Obedience to God's Timing
The Israelites' journey was directed by God's timing. We should trust in God's perfect timing for our own lives, even when it requires patience.

Learning from Past Mistakes
The wilderness experience was a result of disobedience. Reflect on past mistakes to grow in faith and obedience.

God's Faithfulness
Despite Israel's failures, God remains faithful in guiding them. Trust in God's unwavering faithfulness in your journey.

The Importance of Leadership
Moses' role as a leader highlights the importance of godly leadership. Seek to be a leader who listens to and follows God's direction.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's communication with Moses in Deuteronomy 2:2 reflect His desire to guide us today?

2. In what ways can we ensure we are listening to God's voice and not our own desires?

3. How can the Israelites' experience in the wilderness teach us about the consequences of disobedience?

4. What are some areas in your life where you need to trust in God's timing rather than your own?

5. How can you apply the lessons of godly leadership from Moses' example in your own life or community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 3
The calling of Moses, where God first speaks to him, establishing the pattern of divine communication.

Numbers 14
The Israelites' rebellion and the resulting punishment of wandering in the wilderness, setting the stage for the events in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 1
The recounting of Israel's journey and the previous instructions given by God, providing context for the current directive.

Psalm 32:8
God's promise to instruct and teach His people, reflecting His guidance in Deuteronomy 2:2.

Hebrews 3:7-19
A New Testament reflection on the Israelites' wilderness experience, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faith.
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
Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
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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