Deuteronomy 2:31
Then the LORD said to me, "See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you. Now begin to conquer and possess his land."
Then the LORD said to me,

Moses received God’s direction at the critical moment before Israel’s first major conquest. The Lord who had restrained Israel from taking the lands of Edom, Moab, and Ammon now authorized action against the Amorite king.

Deu 1:42 But the LORD said to me, “Tell them not to go up and fight,…
Deu 10:1 At that time the LORD said to me, “Chisel out…

“See, I have begun to deliver Sihon and his land over to you.

Sihon had refused Israel peaceful passage and marched out to battle at Jahaz. God had already determined the outcome, giving Israel confidence that the victory rested on His covenant faithfulness rather than their military strength. Sihon’s territory east of the Jordan became Israel’s first possession in the land promised to Abraham’s descendants.

Deu 3:2 But the LORD said to me, “Do not fear him…
Num 21:34 But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him,”…

Now begin to conquer and possess his land.”

Israel was required to obey, fight, and occupy what God had given. Divine promise did not remove human responsibility; it called forth faithful action. The conquest of Sihon’s kingdom prepared Israel to enter Canaan and demonstrated that the Lord fulfills His word against every obstacle.

Deu 1:21 See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you.…
Jos 1:11 Go through the camp and tell the people,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is actively guiding and delivering His people.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is receiving instructions from God.

3. Sihon
The king of the Amorites, whose land God is giving to the Israelites.

4. The Amorites
A group of people living in the land east of the Jordan River, known for their opposition to Israel.

5. The Land of Sihon
The territory that God is instructing the Israelites to conquer and possess.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Deliverance
God initiates the deliverance of His people, demonstrating His control over nations and history.

Obedience to God's Command
The Israelites are called to act on God's promise by beginning the conquest, highlighting the importance of obedience in faith.

Trust in God's Timing
God’s timing is perfect; He begins the process of deliverance at the right moment, teaching us to trust His timing in our lives.

Spiritual Warfare
Just as Israel was called to conquer physical territories, Christians are called to engage in spiritual battles, relying on God’s strength.

Inheritance and Possession
The land represents God’s promises; believers are encouraged to actively pursue and possess the spiritual inheritance God has given them.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty in this passage encourage you in your current challenges?

2. In what ways can you demonstrate obedience to God's commands in your life, similar to the Israelites' call to conquer the land?

3. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God's timing. How did that experience shape your faith?

4. What are some "spiritual territories" in your life that God is calling you to conquer?

5. How can you actively pursue the spiritual inheritance God has promised you, and what steps can you take to possess it fully?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 21:21-31
Provides the background of Israel's encounter with Sihon and the subsequent battle.

Joshua 12:1-6
Lists the kings defeated by Moses, including Sihon, as part of the conquest of the Promised Land.

Psalm 136:17-22
Celebrates God's enduring love and His victories over kings like Sihon as part of Israel's history.

Romans 8:31
Reflects the theme of God being for His people, ensuring victory over their adversaries.
The Destruction of Sihon, King of the AmoritesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 2:24-37
Warrantable WarfareD. Davies Deuteronomy 2:24-37
The Conquest of SihonJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:26-37
People
Ammonites, Anakites, Avvites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Emites, Esau, Geber, Horites, Moabites, Moses, Rephaites, Seir, Sihon, Zamzummites
Places
Ammon, Ar, Arabah, Aroer, Caphtor, Elath, Ezion-geber, Gaza, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kedemoth, Moab, Mount Seir, Red Sea, Seir, Valley of the Arnon, Zered
Topics
Begin, Begun, Behold, Conquer, Deliver, Forward, Hands, Inherit, Mayest, Occupy, Possess, Possession, Sihon, Yours
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 2:30

     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     6245   stubbornness
     6663   freedom, of will

Library
A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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