“Only unto the land of the children of Ammon thou camest not, nor unto any place of the river Jabbok, nor unto the cities in the mountains, nor unto whatsoever the LORD our God forbad us.”
Context:Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament and serves as Moses’ final address to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular passage, Moses recounts the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness and their encounters with various nations.
The Ammonites:The verse mentions the children of Ammon. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. They inhabited the land east of the Jordan River, near the territory of the Israelites. However, God commanded the Israelites not to engage in conflict with the Ammonites or take possession of their land.
The River Jabbok:The verse also refers to the river Jabbok. The Jabbok was a tributary of the Jordan River, flowing through the land of the Ammonites. This river served as a natural boundary between the territories of the Ammonites and the Israelites.
Obedience to God’s Command:The passage emphasizes that the Israelites adhered to the commandments of the Lord. God specifically instructed them not to enter the land of the Ammonites, the cities in the mountains, or any other forbidden areas. This demonstrates the importance of obedience to God’s guidance.
Trusting God’s Wisdom:God’s commandments are often based on His divine wisdom and purposes, even if we may not fully understand them at the time. In this instance, God had a specific plan for the Israelites’ journey and the territories they were to possess. Trusting in God’s wisdom and obeying His instructions is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.
Application to our lives:The verse encourages us to trust in God’s guidance and obey His commands, even when we don’t fully comprehend His reasoning. Just as the Israelites had to trust that God knew what was best for them, we should have faith that God’s ways are higher than our own and that His plans are ultimately for our good.
In summary, Deuteronomy 2:37 highlights the importance of obedience to God’s commands and trusting in His wisdom, even when His instructions may seem counterintuitive to us. It reminds us that God’s ways are perfect, and He has a purpose for every directive He gives.
