What does Deuteronomy 2:9 mean?
"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
The Bible verse Deuteronomy 2:9 in the King James Version (KJV) states, "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." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Deuteronomy, which is a record of the farewell speeches of Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land.
In this particular verse, God is commanding the Israelites, through Moses, not to distress or contend with the Moabites in battle. This is an important command because it shows God's sovereignty and control over the nations and their territories. It also shows God's concern for the Moabites, despite their history of hostility towards the Israelites.
The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. The Israelites were on the verge of entering the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness for forty years. They had just defeated the Amorites and were now at the border of Moab. It was a critical moment for the nation of Israel, and God's instructions to them were crucial for their success in conquering the land.
One of the key themes in this verse is the sovereignty of God over the nations. God clearly tells the Israelites that he will not give them the land of the Moabites, but he has already given the land of Ar to the children of Lot. This demonstrates God's authority in determining the boundaries of nations and in allocating land to different peoples. It also highlights God's fairness and justice in dealing with different nations, even those that are not part of his chosen people.
Another important theme in this verse is the avoidance of unnecessary conflict. God tells the Israelites not to distress or contend with the Moabites in battle. This demonstrates God's desire for peace and harmony among nations, and his command to the Israelites reflects his desire for them to be good stewards of the land and resources he has given them. It also serves as a reminder that the Israelites were to depend on God for their victories, rather than relying on their own strength or military might.
The symbolism in this verse is also significant. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and were often in conflict with the Israelites. Despite this history of enmity, God commands the Israelites to show restraint and respect towards the Moabites. This symbolizes God's mercy and grace towards all peoples, regardless of their past actions or attitudes towards his chosen people.
Overall, Deuteronomy 2:9 is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over the nations, his desire for peace and harmony among peoples, and his mercy towards all. It serves as a foundational principle for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, and it continues to be a relevant and timeless message for believers today.
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Deuteronomy 2:9 - "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."
"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
Deuteronomy 9:2 - "A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!"
Deuteronomy 32:9 - "For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance."
Deuteronomy 3:9 - "(Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)"
Deuteronomy 9:22 - "And at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah, ye provoked the LORD to wrath."
Deuteronomy 2:2 - "And the LORD spake unto me, saying,"
Deuteronomy 6:9 - "And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."
Deuteronomy 9:24 - "Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you."
Deuteronomy 12:9 - "For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you."
Deuteronomy 14:9 - "¶ These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:"
Deuteronomy 29:9 - "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do."
Deuteronomy 9:20 - "And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time."
Deuteronomy 1:9 - "¶ And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to bear you myself alone:"
Deuteronomy 9:8 - "Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you."
Deuteronomy 23:9 - "¶ When the host goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee from every wicked thing."
Deuteronomy 9:13 - "Furthermore the LORD spake unto me, saying, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:"
Deuteronomy 9:1-2 - "Hear, O Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: 'Who can stand up against the Anakites?'"
Deuteronomy 26:9 - "And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey."
Deuteronomy 9:27 - "Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin:"
Deuteronomy 9:17 - "And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes."
Deuteronomy 20:9 - "And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people."
Deuteronomy 2:17 - "That the LORD spake unto me, saying,"
Deuteronomy 24:9 - "Remember what the LORD thy God did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt."
Deuteronomy 9:29 - "Yet they are thy people and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest out by thy mighty power and by thy stretched out arm."
Deuteronomy 9:6 - "Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people."
Deuteronomy 9:11 - "And it came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant."
Deuteronomy 9:15 - "So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands."
Deuteronomy 17:9 - "And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:"
Deuteronomy 31:9 - "¶ And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel."