And the Lord said vnto mee, Distresse not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battell: for I wil not giue thee of their land for a possession, because I haue giuen Ar vnto the children of Lot for a possession. Deuteronomy 2:9 (KJV)
And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land
for
a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot
for a possession. Deuteronomy 2: 9 (KJV)
The book of Deuteronomy belongs to the Pentateuch, the first five books of Scripture traditionally ascribed to Moses. Its title means “second law” or “repetition of the law,” because Moses restates the statutes and instructions previously given to Israel as they journey toward the Promised Land.
The Moabites were descendants of Moab, the son of Lot and his eldest daughter (Genesis 19:30‑38). Through Lot, they were closely related to the Israelites. They lived east of the Dead Sea, with their principal city known as Rabbah (modern Amman). Ar was a town within Moab, not its capital, and is mentioned elsewhere (Isaiah 15:1).
In this verse the Lord commands Moses, “Distress not the Moabites, nor contend with them in battle,” because God had already given the town of Ar to the children of Lot as their possession and would not grant any of the Moabite land to Israel. The instruction underscores that the Moabite territory was not part of the inheritance God had prepared for His people.
Respect for boundaries is a clear lesson: God instructed Israel not to encroach on land that belonged to the Moabites, teaching believers to honor the rights and territories of others and to pursue peace. The passage also highlights God’s sovereignty and provision; He has a specific plan for each people and provides a distinct inheritance, inviting us to trust in His guidance.
Understanding God’s purposes emerges as He blesses the descendants of Lot, showing that His wisdom can extend blessings to relatives of Israel even when they are not the primary recipients of the covenant promises. Finally, the command to avoid contention reminds us to choose our battles wisely, seeking reconciliation rather than unnecessary conflict, and to be peacemakers in our relationships.
In summary, Deuteronomy 2:9 emphasizes respecting boundaries, recognizing God’s sovereign provision, discerning His broader purposes, and pursuing peace. These timeless principles encourage believers to trust God’s plan, respect others, and live as agents of reconciliation in a divided world.
