mh_parser/vol_split/5 - Deuteronomy/Chapter 2.xml

<div2 id="Deu.iii" n="iii" next="Deu.iv" prev="Deu.ii" progress="82.43%" title="Chapter II">
<h2 id="Deu.iii-p0.1">D E U T E R O N O M Y</h2>
<h3 id="Deu.iii-p0.2">CHAP. II.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Deu.iii-p1">Moses, in this chapter, proceeds in the rehearsal
of God's providences concerning Israel in their way to Canaan, yet
preserves not the record of any thing that happened during their
tedious march back to the Red Sea, in which they wore out almost
thirty-eight years, but passes that over in silence as a dark time,
and makes his narrative to begin again when they faced about
towards Canaan (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.1-Deut.2.3" parsed="|Deut|2|1|2|3" passage="De 2:1-3">ver. 1-3</scripRef>),
and drew towards the countries that were inhabited, concerning
which God here gives them direction, I. What nations they must not
give any disturbance to. 1. Not to the Edomites, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.4-Deut.2.8" parsed="|Deut|2|4|2|8" passage="De 2:4-8">ver. 4-8</scripRef>. 2. Not to the Moabites (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.9" parsed="|Deut|2|9|0|0" passage="De 2:9">ver. 9</scripRef>), of the antiquities of whose
country, with that of the Edomites, he gives some account,
<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.10-Deut.2.12" parsed="|Deut|2|10|2|12" passage="De 2:10-12">ver. 10-12</scripRef>. And here
comes in an account of their passing the river Zered, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.13-Deut.2.16" parsed="|Deut|2|13|2|16" passage="De 2:13-16">ver. 13-16</scripRef>. 3. Not to the
Ammonites, of whose country here is some account given, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.17-Deut.2.23" parsed="|Deut|2|17|2|23" passage="De 2:17-23">ver. 17-23</scripRef>. II. What nations they
should attack and conquer. They must begin with Sihon, king of the
Amorites, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.24-Deut.2.25" parsed="|Deut|2|24|2|25" passage="De 2:24,25">ver. 24, 25</scripRef>.
And accordingly, 1. They had a fair occasion of quarrelling with
him, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.26-Deut.2.32" parsed="|Deut|2|26|2|32" passage="De 2:26-32">ver. 26-32</scripRef>. 2. God
gave them a complete victory over him, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.33-Deut.2.37" parsed="|Deut|2|33|2|37" passage="De 2:33-37">ver. 33</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Deu.iii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2" parsed="|Deut|2|0|0|0" passage="De 2" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Deu.iii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.1-Deut.2.7" parsed="|Deut|2|1|2|7" passage="De 2:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.2.1-Deut.2.7">
<h4 id="Deu.iii-p1.12">The Seed of Esau and Lot
Spared. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p1.13">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.iii-p2">1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the
wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p2.1">Lord</span> spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir
many days.   2 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p2.2">Lord</span>
spake unto me, saying,   3 Ye have compassed this mountain
long enough: turn you northward.   4 And command thou the
people, saying, Ye <i>are</i> to pass through the coast of your
brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall
be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore:
  5 Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their
land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount
Seir unto Esau <i>for</i> a possession.   6 Ye shall buy meat
of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of
them for money, that ye may drink.   7 For the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p2.3">Lord</span> thy God hath blessed thee in all the works
of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness:
these forty years the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p2.4">Lord</span> thy God
<i>hath been</i> with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p3">Here is, I. A short account of the long
stay of Israel in the wilderness: <i>We compassed Mount Seir many
days,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.1" parsed="|Deut|2|1|0|0" passage="De 2:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Nearly
<i>thirty-eight</i> years they wandered in the deserts of Seir;
probably in some of their rests they staid several years, and never
stirred; God by this not only chastised them for their murmuring
and unbelief, but, 1. Prepared them for Canaan, by humbling them
for sin, teaching them to mortify their lusts, to follow God, and
to comfort themselves in him. It is a work of time to make souls
meet for heaven, and it must be done by a long train of exercises.
2. He prepared the Canaanites for destruction. All this time the
measure of their iniquity was filling up; and, though it might have
been improved by them as a space to repent in, it was abused by
them to the hardening of their hearts. Now that the host of Israel
was once repulsed, and after that was so long entangled and
seemingly lost in the wilderness, they were secure, and thought the
danger was over from that quarter, which would make the next
attempt of Israel upon them the more dreadful.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p4">II. Orders given them to turn towards
Canaan. Though God contend long, he will not contend for ever.
Though Israel may be long kept waiting for deliverance or
enlargement, it will come at last: <i>The vision is for an
appointed time, and at the end it shall speak, and not lie.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p5">III. A charge given them not to annoy the
Edomites.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p6">1. They must not offer any hostility to
them as enemies: <i>Meddle not with them,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.4-Deut.2.5" parsed="|Deut|2|4|2|5" passage="De 2:4,5"><i>v.</i> 4, 5</scripRef>. (1.) They must not improve
the advantage they had against them, by the fright they would be
put into upon Israel's approach: "<i>They shall be afraid of
you,</i> knowing your strength and numbers, and the power of God
engaged for you; but think not that, because their fears make them
an easy prey, you may therefore prey upon them; no, <i>take heed to
yourselves.</i>" There is need of great caution and a strict
government of our own spirits, to keep ourselves from injuring
those against whom we have an advantage. Or this caution is given
to the princes; they must not only not meddle with the Edomites
themselves, but not permit any of the soldiers to meddle with them.
(2.) They must not avenge upon the Edomites the affront they gave
them in refusing them passage through their country, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.20.21" parsed="|Num|20|21|0|0" passage="Nu 20:21">Num. xx. 21</scripRef>. Thus, before God brought
Israel to destroy their enemies in Canaan, he taught them to
forgive their enemies in Edom. (3.) They must not expect to have
any part of their land given them for a possession: Mount Seir was
already settled upon the Edomites, and they must not, under
pretence of God's covenant and conduct, think to seize for
themselves all they could lay hands on. Dominion is not founded in
grace. God's Israel shall be well placed, but must not expect to be
<i>placed alone in the midst of the earth,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Isa.5.8" parsed="|Isa|5|8|0|0" passage="Isa 5:8">Isa. v. 8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p7">2. They must trade with them as neighbours,
buy meat and water of them, and pay for what they bought, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.6" parsed="|Deut|2|6|0|0" passage="De 2:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. Religion must never be
made a cloak for injustice. The reason given (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.7" parsed="|Deut|2|7|0|0" passage="De 2:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>), is, "God hath blessed thee, and
hitherto thou hast lacked nothing; and therefore," (1.) "Thou
needest not beg; scorn to be beholden to Edomites, when thou hast a
God all-sufficient to depend upon. Thou hast wherewithal to pay for
what thou callest for (thanks to the divine blessing!); use
therefore what thou hast, use it cheerfully, and do not sponge upon
the Edomites." (2.) "Therefore thou must not steal. Thou hast
experienced the care of the divine providence concerning thee, in
confidence of which for the future, and in a firm belief of its
sufficiency, never use any indirect methods for thy supply. Live by
the faith and not by thy sword."</p>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.iii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.8-Deut.2.23" parsed="|Deut|2|8|2|23" passage="De 2:8-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.2.8-Deut.2.23">
<p class="passage" id="Deu.iii-p8">8 And when we passed by from our brethren the
children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain
from Elath, and from Ezion-gaber, we turned and passed by the way
of the wilderness of Moab.   9 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p8.1">Lord</span> said unto me, Distress not the Moabites,
neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of
their land <i>for</i> a possession; because I have given Ar unto
the children of Lot <i>for</i> a possession.   10 The Emims
dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as
the Anakims;   11 Which also were accounted giants, as the
Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.   12 The Horims
also dwelt in Seir beforetime; but the children of Esau succeeded
them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in
their stead; as Israel did unto the land of his possession, which
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p8.2">Lord</span> gave unto them.   13
Now rise up, <i>said I,</i> and get you over the brook Zered. And
we went over the brook Zered.   14 And the space in which we
came from Kadesh-barnea, until we were come over the brook Zered,
<i>was</i> thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the
men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p8.3">Lord</span> sware unto them.   15 For indeed the
hand of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p8.4">Lord</span> was against them,
to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.
  16 So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed
and dead from among the people,   17 That the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p8.5">Lord</span> spake unto me, saying,   18 Thou art
to pass over through Ar, the coast of Moab, this day:   19 And
<i>when</i> thou comest nigh over against the children of Ammon,
distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee
of the land of the children of Ammon <i>any</i> possession; because
I have given it unto the children of Lot <i>for</i> a possession.
  20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt
therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;  
21 A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; but the
<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p8.6">Lord</span> destroyed them before them; and
they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead:   22 As he did
to the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the
Horims from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in
their stead even unto this day:   23 And the Avims which dwelt
in Hazerim, <i>even</i> unto Azzah, the Caphtorims, which came
forth out of Caphtor, destroyed them, and dwelt in their
stead.)</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p9">It is observable here that Moses, speaking
of the Edomites (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.8" parsed="|Deut|2|8|0|0" passage="De 2:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>), calls them, "<i>our brethren, the children of
Esau.</i>" Though they had been unkind to Israel, in refusing them
a peaceable passage through their country, yet he calls them
brethren. For, though our relations fail in their duty to us, we
must retain a sense of the relation, and not be wanting in our duty
to them, as there is occasion. Now in these verses we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p10">I. The account which Moses gives of the
origin of the nations of which he had here occasion to speak, the
Moabites, Edomites, and Ammonites. We know very well, from other
parts of his history, whose posterity they were; but here he tells
us how they came to those countries in which Israel found them;
they were not the <i>aborigines,</i> or first planters. But, 1. The
Moabites dwelt in a country which had belonged to a numerous race
of giants, called <i>Emim</i> (that is, <i>terrible ones</i>), as
tall as the Anakim, and perhaps more fierce, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.10-Deut.2.11" parsed="|Deut|2|10|2|11" passage="De 2:10,11"><i>v.</i> 10, 11</scripRef>. 2. The Edomites in like
manner dispossessed the Horim from Mount Seir, and took their
country (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.12" parsed="|Deut|2|12|0|0" passage="De 2:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>. and
again <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.22" parsed="|Deut|2|22|0|0" passage="De 2:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>), of
which we read, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.36.20" parsed="|Gen|36|20|0|0" passage="Ge 36:20">Gen. xxxvi.
20</scripRef>. 3. The Ammonites likewise got possession of a
country that had formerly been inhabited by giants, called
<i>Zamzummim, crafty men,</i> or <i>wicked men</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.20-Deut.2.21" parsed="|Deut|2|20|2|21" passage="De 2:20,21"><i>v.</i> 20, 21</scripRef>), probably the
same that are called <i>Zuzim,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.14.5" parsed="|Gen|14|5|0|0" passage="Ge 14:5">Gen.
xiv. 5</scripRef>. He illustrates these remarks by an instance
older than any of these; the Caphtorim (who were akin to the
Philistines, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.10.14" parsed="|Gen|10|14|0|0" passage="Ge 10:14">Gen. x. 14</scripRef>)
drove the Avim out of their country, and took possession of it,
<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.23" parsed="|Deut|2|23|0|0" passage="De 2:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>. The learned
bishop Patrick supposes these Avites, being expelled hence, to have
settled in Assyria, and to be the same people we read of under that
name, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.17.31" parsed="|2Kgs|17|31|0|0" passage="2Ki 17:31">2 Kings xvii. 31</scripRef>.
Now these revolutions are recorded, (1.) To show how soon the world
was peopled after the flood, so well peopled that, when a family
grew numerous, they could not find a place to settle in, at least
in that part of the world, but they must drive out those that were
already settled. (2.) To show that the race is not to the swift,
nor the battle to the strong. Giants were expelled by those of
ordinary stature; for probably these giants, like those before the
flood (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Gen.6.4" parsed="|Gen|6|4|0|0" passage="Ge 6:4">Gen. vi. 4</scripRef>), were
notorious for impiety and oppression, which brought the judgments
of God upon them, against which their great strength would be on
defence. (3.) To show what uncertain things worldly possessions
are, and how often they change their owners; it was so of old, and
ever will be so. Families decline, and from them estates are
transferred to families that increase; so little constancy or
continuance is there in these things. (4.) To encourage the
children of Israel, who were now going to take possession of
Canaan, against the difficulties they would meet with, and to show
the unbelief of those that were afraid of the sons of Anak, to whom
the giants, here said to be conquered, are compared, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.11 Bible:Deut.2.21" parsed="|Deut|2|11|0|0;|Deut|2|21|0|0" passage="De 2:11,21"><i>v.</i> 11, 21</scripRef>. If the providence
of God had done this for the Moabites and Ammonites, much more
would his promise do it for Israel his peculiar people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p11">II. The advances which Israel made towards
Canaan. They <i>passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab</i>
(<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.8" parsed="|Deut|2|8|0|0" passage="De 2:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>), and then went
over the brook or vale of Zered (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.13" parsed="|Deut|2|13|0|0" passage="De 2:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), and there Moses takes notice of
the fulfilling of the word which God had spoken concerning them,
that none of those that were numbered at Mount Sinai should see the
land that God had promised, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Num.14.23" parsed="|Num|14|23|0|0" passage="Nu 14:23">Num. xiv.
23</scripRef>. According to that sentence, now that they began to
set their faces towards Canaan, and to have it in their eye, notice
is taken of their being all destroyed and consumed, and not a man
of them left, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.14" parsed="|Deut|2|14|0|0" passage="De 2:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>.
Common providence, we may observe, in about thirty-eight years,
ordinarily raises a new generation, so that in that time few remain
of the old one; but here it was entirely new, and none at all
remained but Caleb and Joshua: <i>for indeed the hand of the Lord
was against them,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.15" parsed="|Deut|2|15|0|0" passage="De 2:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. Those cannot but waste, until they were consumed,
who have the hand of God against them. Observe, Israel is not
called to engage with the Canaanites till all the men of war, the
veteran regiments, that had been used to hardship, and had learned
the art of war from the Egyptians, <i>were consumed and dead from
among the people</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.16" parsed="|Deut|2|16|0|0" passage="De 2:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>), that the conquest of Canaan, being effected by a
host of new-raised men, trained up in a wilderness, the excellency
of the power might the more plainly appear to be <i>of God and not
of men.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p12">III. The caution given them not to meddle
with the Moabites or Ammonites, whom they must not disseize, nor so
much as disturb in their possessions: <i>Distress them not, nor
contend with them,</i> <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.9" parsed="|Deut|2|9|0|0" passage="De 2:9"><i>v.</i>
9</scripRef>. Though the Moabites aimed to ruin Israel (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:Num.22.6" parsed="|Num|22|6|0|0" passage="Nu 22:6">Num. xxii. 6</scripRef>), yet Israel must not aim
to ruin them. If others design us a mischief, this will not justify
us in designing them a mischief. But why must not the Moabites and
Ammonites be meddled with? 1. Because they were the <i>children of
Lot</i> (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.9 Bible:Deut.2.19" parsed="|Deut|2|9|0|0;|Deut|2|19|0|0" passage="De 2:9,19"><i>v.</i> 9, 19</scripRef>),
righteous Lot, who kept his integrity in Sodom. Note, Children
often fare the better in this world for the piety of their
ancestors: the seed of the upright, though they degenerate, yet are
blessed with temporal good things. 2. Because the land they were
possessed of was what God had given them, and he did not design it
for Israel. Even wicked men have a right to their worldly
possessions, and must not be wronged. The tares are allowed their
place in the field, and must not be rooted out until the harvest.
God gives and preserves outward blessings to wicked men, to show
that these are not the best things, but he has better in store for
his own children.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Deu.iii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.24-Deut.2.37" parsed="|Deut|2|24|2|37" passage="De 2:24-37" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Deut.2.24-Deut.2.37">
<h4 id="Deu.iii-p12.5">History of the Moabites. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p12.6">b. c.</span> 1451.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Deu.iii-p13">24 Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over
the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the
Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess <i>it,</i>
and contend with him in battle.   25 This day will I begin to
put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations <i>that
are</i> under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and
shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.   26 And I
sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth unto Sihon king
of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,   27 Let me pass
through thy land: I will go along by the high way, I will neither
turn unto the right hand nor to the left.   28 Thou shalt sell
me meat for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money,
that I may drink: only I will pass through on my feet;   29
(As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites
which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan
into the land which the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p13.1">Lord</span> our God
giveth us.   30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us
pass by him: for the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p13.2">Lord</span> thy God
hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might
deliver him into thy hand, as <i>appeareth</i> this day.   31
And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p13.3">Lord</span> said unto me, Behold, I
have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to
possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.   32 Then Sihon
came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
  33 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p13.4">Lord</span> our God
delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all
his people.   34 And we took all his cities at that time, and
utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of
every city, we left none to remain:   35 Only the cattle we
took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which
we took.   36 From Aroer, which <i>is</i> by the brink of the
river of Arnon, and <i>from</i> the city that <i>is</i> by the
river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us:
the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p13.5">Lord</span> our God delivered all unto
us:   37 Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou
camest not, <i>nor</i> unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto
the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the <span class="smallcaps" id="Deu.iii-p13.6">Lord</span> our God forbad us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p14">God having tried the self-denial of his
people in forbidding them to meddle with the Moabites and
Ammonites, and they having quietly passed by those rich countries,
and, though superior in number, not made any attack upon them, here
he recompenses them for their obedience by giving them possession
of the country of Sihon king of the Amorites. If we forbear what
God forbids, we shall receive what he promises, and shall be no
losers at last by our obedience, though it may seem for the present
to be to our loss. Wrong not others, and God shall right thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p15">I. God gives them commission to seize upon
the country of Sihon king of Heshbon, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.24-Deut.2.25" parsed="|Deut|2|24|2|25" passage="De 2:24,25"><i>v.</i> 24, 25</scripRef>. This was then God's way
of disposing of kingdoms, but such particular grants are not now
either to be expected or pretended. In this commission observe, 1.
Though God assured them that the land should be their own, yet they
must bestir themselves, and contend in battle with the enemy. What
God gives we must endeavour to get. 2. God promises that when they
fight he will fight for them. Do you <i>begin to possess it, and I
will begin to put the dread of you</i> upon them. God would
dispirit the enemy and so destroy them, would magnify Israel and so
terrify all those against whom they were commissioned. See
<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.15.14" parsed="|Exod|15|14|0|0" passage="Ex 15:14">Exod. xv. 14</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p16">II. Moses sends to Sihon a message of
peace, and only begs a passage through his land, with a promise to
give his country no disturbance, but the advantage of trading for
ready money with so great a body, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.26-Deut.2.29" parsed="|Deut|2|26|2|29" passage="De 2:26-29"><i>v.</i> 26-29</scripRef>. Moses herein did neither
disobey God, who bade him contend with Sihon, nor dissemble with
Sihon; but doubtless it was by divine direction that he did it,
that Sihon might be left inexcusable, though God hardened his
heart. This may illustrate the method of God's dealing with those
to whom he gives his gospel, but does not give grace to believe
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p17">III. Sihon began the war (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.32" parsed="|Deut|2|32|0|0" passage="De 2:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>), God having <i>made his
heart obstinate,</i> and hidden from his eyes the thing that
belonged to his peace (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.30" parsed="|Deut|2|30|0|0" passage="De 2:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>), that he might deliver him into the hand of Israel.
Those that meddle with the people of God meddle to their own hurt;
and God sometimes ruins his enemies by their own resolves. See
<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Mic.4.11-Mic.4.13 Bible:Rev.16.14" parsed="|Mic|4|11|4|13;|Rev|16|14|0|0" passage="Mic 4:11-13,Re 16:14">Mic. iv. 11-13; Rev. xvi.
14</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Deu.iii-p18">IV. Israel was victorious. 1. They put all
the Amorites to the sword, men, women, and children (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.33-Deut.2.34" parsed="|Deut|2|33|2|34" passage="De 2:33,34"><i>v.</i> 33, 34</scripRef>); this they did as
the executioners of God's wrath; now the measure of the Amorites'
iniquity was full (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p18.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.15.16" parsed="|Gen|15|16|0|0" passage="Ge 15:16">Gen. xv.
16</scripRef>), and the longer it was in the filling the sorer was
the reckoning at last. This was one of the devoted nations. They
died, not as Israel's enemies, but as sacrifices to divine justice,
in the offering of which sacrifices Israel was employed, as a
kingdom of priests. The case being therefore extraordinary, it
ought not to be drawn into a precedent for military executions,
which make no distinction and give no quarter: those will have
<i>judgment without mercy that show no mercy.</i> 2. They took
possession of all they had; their cities (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p18.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.34" parsed="|Deut|2|34|0|0" passage="De 2:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>), their goods (<scripRef id="Deu.iii-p18.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.35" parsed="|Deut|2|35|0|0" passage="De 2:35"><i>v.</i> 35</scripRef>), and their land, <scripRef id="Deu.iii-p18.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.2.36" parsed="|Deut|2|36|0|0" passage="De 2:36"><i>v.</i> 36</scripRef>. The wealth of the sinner
is laid up for the just. What a new world did Israel now come into!
Most of them were born, and had lived all their days, in a vast
howling wilderness, where they knew not what either fields or
cities were, had no houses to dwell in, and neither sowed nor
reaped; and now of a sudden to become masters of a country so well
built, so well husbanded, this made them amends for their long
waiting, and yet it was but the earnest of a great deal more. Much
more joyful will the change be which holy souls will experience
when they remove out of the wilderness of this world to the
<i>better country, that is, the heavenly, to the city that has
foundations.</i></p>
</div></div2>