Deuteronomy 2:3 - Wanderings in the Wilderness

Audio Bible

Context

Wanderings in the Wilderness
…2At this time the LORD said to me, 3“You have been wandering around this hill country long enough; turn to the north 4and command the people: ‘You will pass through the territory of your brothers, the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir. They will be afraid of you, so you must be very careful.…

Cross References

Numbers 14:25
Now since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.”Joshua 5:6
For the Israelites had wandered in the wilderness forty years, until all the nation’s men of war who had come out of Egypt had died, since they did not obey the LORD. So the LORD vowed never to let them see the land He had sworn to their fathers to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey.Exodus 14:15
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.Numbers 21:4
Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journeyDeuteronomy 1:6-7
The LORD our God said to us at Horeb: “You have stayed at this mountain long enough. / Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites; go to all the neighboring peoples in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the foothills, in the Negev, and along the seacoast to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, as far as the great River Euphrates.Deuteronomy 1:40
But you are to turn back and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.”Numbers 32:13
The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone.Isaiah 30:21
And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.Acts 7:36
He led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and for forty years in the wilderness.Hebrews 3:17-19
And with whom was God angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? / And to whom did He swear that they would never enter His rest? Was it not to those who disobeyed? / So we see that it was because of their unbelief that they were unable to enter.1 Corinthians 10:5-6
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. / These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did.Acts 13:18
He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.Hebrews 4:8-9
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. / There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

Deuteronomy 2:7,14
For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing…

Deuteronomy 1:6
The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount:

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Deuteronomy 2

You have been wandering around this hill country long enough;
This phrase addresses the Israelites' prolonged stay in the wilderness, specifically around the region of Mount Seir. Historically, this period of wandering was a result of their disobedience and lack of faith when they initially refused to enter the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-35). The "hill country" refers to the rugged terrain of Edom, which is south of the Dead Sea. This wandering symbolizes a period of testing and preparation, reflecting God's discipline and patience. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's promises.

turn to the north
The command to "turn to the north" signifies a new direction and a fresh start for the Israelites. Geographically, this meant moving towards the land of Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:7). This shift in direction marks the end of their punishment and the beginning of their journey towards fulfilling God's covenant. It also foreshadows the eventual conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. Spiritually, this turning represents repentance and a renewed focus on God's plan. It is a call to leave behind past failures and to move forward in faith and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is recounting the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness.

2. Israelites
The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are journeying to the Promised Land.

3. Mount Seir
The mountain region associated with the descendants of Esau, where the Israelites had been wandering.

4. God (Yahweh)
The divine guide and commander of the Israelites, directing their journey.

5. Wilderness Wanderings
The period of 40 years when the Israelites wandered in the desert due to their disobedience and lack of faith.

Teaching Points

Obedience to God's Timing
God's command to "turn north" signifies a change in direction and timing. Believers must be attentive to God's timing and direction in their lives, ready to move when He commands.

Avoiding Spiritual Stagnation
The phrase "You have circled this mountain long enough" can symbolize spiritual stagnation. Christians are encouraged to evaluate areas in their lives where they may be "circling" without progress and seek God's guidance for growth.

Trust in God's Promises
Despite the Israelites' prolonged journey, God's promise of the Promised Land remained. Believers are reminded to trust in God's promises, even when the journey seems long and challenging.

Learning from Past Mistakes
The Israelites' wandering was a consequence of their disobedience. Christians should learn from past mistakes and seek to align their actions with God's will to avoid unnecessary detours in their spiritual journey.

God's Faithfulness in Guidance
God's instruction to turn north demonstrates His continued guidance and faithfulness. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is always leading them, even when the path is unclear.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 2What is Mount Seir's significance in the Bible?Where did Moses view the Promised Land before dying?Deuteronomy 1:34-39 implies a direct divine punishment for an entire generation; is there any contextual or historical corroboration for such a widespread judgment?2 Samuel 3:2-5: Why does this passage allow David's polygamy despite Deuteronomy 17:17 warning against multiplying wives?

(3) Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.--Apparently this command must have been issued when they were in Kadesh the second time, at the commencement of the fortieth year (Numbers 20:1). It was from this encampment that Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom asking permission to pass through his territory. It would be interesting to know when it was decided that Israel should enter the land of promise by passing over Jordan, instead of going through the Negeb. Did Mount Seir, or the territory of Edom, lie wholly on the east, or partly on the west of Israel when they were encamped in Kadesh? If Edom had acquired any territorial rights to the westward during the thirty-eight years' wandering, it might have been necessary for Israel to ask his permission to go by the way of the spies, and in that case the decision to pass Jordan may have been taken in consequence of Edom's refusal. But if, as Conder (Bible Handbook, p. 250) appears to think, the permission asked was to go eastward between the mountains by the W. el Ghaweir to the north of Mount Hor, or the W. Ghurundel to the south of it (see Stanley's Map in Sinai and Palestine for these), then the decision to pass the Jordan must have been taken before this period. The reason for the step would then be similar to what we find in Exodus 13:17, that the people might not have to fight their way into the country through the land of the Amorites. The miraculous eisodus across Jordan would thus become still more analogous to the miraculous exodus from Egypt.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

“You have been wandering around
סֹ֖ב (sōḇ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

hill country
הָהָ֣ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

long enough;
רַב־ (raḇ-)
Adverb
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

turn
פְּנ֥וּ (pə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

to the north
צָפֹֽנָה׃ (ṣā·p̄ō·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6828: Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter

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Deuteronomy 2:3 Catholic BibleOT Law: Deuteronomy 2:3 You have encircled this mountain long enough: (Deut. De Du)