“Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days.”
In this verse, Moses is recounting the journey of the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. Let’s explore the context and significance of this verse within the larger narrative of the Book of Deuteronomy.
Context:Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible and serves as Moses’ final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. Moses reminds the new generation of Israelites about their past experiences, God’s laws, and the importance of obedience. Deuteronomy 2 follows the Israelites’ time spent in the wilderness, during which they received God’s instructions and faced various challenges.
Wilderness Journey:The verse begins with the statement, Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness. This refers to the Israelites’ departure from Mount Sinai (Horeb) after receiving the Ten Commandments and other laws from God. They embarked on a journey toward the Promised Land, but due to their disobedience and lack of faith, they ended up spending forty years in the wilderness.
Way of the Red Sea:The Israelites traveled through the wilderness “by the way of the Red sea.” This refers to their route around the eastern side of the Red Sea, after crossing it on dry ground during the Exodus from Egypt. This choice of direction was guided by God’s instructions to Moses, who was leading the people.
Obeying God’s Instructions:Moses mentions that the Israelites followed God’s commandments by turning and embarking on their journey as the Lord had spoken to him. This highlights the importance of obedience and submission to God’s guidance. Throughout the wilderness period, the Israelites had to trust in God’s leading and follow His instructions, even when faced with challenges and unknown territories.
Mount Seir:The verse continues by stating that the Israelites “compassed mount Seir many days.” Mount Seir refers to a mountainous region located to the southeast of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Edomites. The Israelites traveled around this area for an extended period during their wilderness wanderings. This mention of Mount Seir highlights a specific landmark and serves as a geographical reference within the narrative.
Overall, Deuteronomy 2:1 emphasizes the obedience of the Israelites in following God’s instructions as they journeyed through the wilderness. It reminds us of the importance of trusting in God’s guidance and being obedient to His commands, even when facing challenging and uncertain circumstances. It also serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and provision as the Israelites traveled from Egypt toward the Promised Land.
