And I sent messengers out of the wildernesse of Kedemoth, vnto Sihon king of Heshbon, with wordes of peace, saying, Deuteronomy 2:26 (KJV)
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament and is attributed to Moses. It records a series of speeches that Moses delivered to the Israelites as they stood on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Throughout the book Moses reminds the people of God’s law, calls them to obedience, and renews the covenant relationship between God and Israel.
Deuteronomy 2:26 recounts a concrete episode in the wilderness journey. As the Israelites approached Canaan they needed to traverse the territories of several peoples, among them the Amorites who were ruled by Sihon, king of Heshbon. Moses tells how he sent messengers from the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon with words of peace, asking for safe passage through the king’s land without resorting to war. The passage shows that the Israelites sought to respect the territorial sovereignty of the nations they encountered and preferred diplomatic negotiation before any conflict.
The verse offers several spiritual lessons. First, it models the pursuit of peace. Moses’ example urges believers to be peacemakers (cf. Matthew 5:9) and to seek harmonious solutions before resorting to hostility. Second, it teaches respect for others. By requesting permission to pass, the Israelites honored the rights and boundaries of another nation, reflecting the biblical command to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31). Third, the episode demonstrates wisdom in diplomacy. Rather than launching an immediate attack, Moses chose a measured, patient approach, reminding believers to seek God’s wisdom (James 1:5) when handling disputes. Finally, the narrative underscores the importance of trusting God’s guidance. Throughout Deuteronomy Moses relies on divine direction; this verse reinforces the need to seek God’s leading in decisions, especially those involving potential conflict, trusting that He will provide the right path with integrity and grace.
