Deuteronomy 2:26 Study Bible: I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying,

Bible > Deuteronomy > Chapter 2 > Verse 26

◄ Deuteronomy 2:26 ►

So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth I sent messengers with an offer of peace to Sihon king of Heshbon, saying,

So from the Wilderness of Kedemoth
The Wilderness of Kedemoth is located in the region east of the Jordan River, near the territory of Moab. This area was part of the journey of the Israelites as they moved towards the Promised Land. The wilderness represents a place of testing and preparation for the Israelites, similar to Jesus' time in the wilderness before His ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).

I sent messengers
Sending messengers was a common diplomatic practice in the ancient Near East. It reflects a desire for peaceful negotiation rather than immediate conflict. This approach aligns with the biblical principle of seeking peace (Romans 12:18) and foreshadows the role of Christ as the ultimate peacemaker (Ephesians 2:14-17).

with an offer of peace
The offer of peace indicates a willingness to coexist and avoid unnecessary bloodshed. This gesture is significant as it demonstrates the Israelites' initial intent to pass through the land without hostility. It echoes the peace offerings in Levitical law, which symbolize reconciliation with God (Leviticus 3).

to Sihon king of Heshbon
Sihon was an Amorite king ruling over Heshbon, a significant city-state in the region. The Amorites were known for their strength and fortifications. The encounter with Sihon is a pivotal moment in Israel's conquest narrative, as defeating him would open the way to the Promised Land. This victory is later celebrated in Israel's history (Psalm 135:10-12).

saying,
The message that follows is a formal declaration of intent. In biblical narratives, direct speech often highlights the importance of the message. The words spoken by the messengers are crucial, as they reveal the Israelites' intentions and God's unfolding plan for His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is recounting the events of their journey and interactions with other nations.

2. Wilderness of Kedemoth
A region from which Moses sent messengers to Sihon. It represents a place of transition and preparation for the Israelites.

3. Sihon
The king of Heshbon, a significant figure who opposed Israel's passage through his land.

4. Heshbon
The kingdom ruled by Sihon, located east of the Jordan River. It was a strategic location for the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land.

5. Messengers
Representatives sent by Moses to negotiate peace with Sihon, demonstrating a diplomatic approach before engaging in conflict.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Seeking Peace
Moses' approach to Sihon underscores the biblical principle of seeking peace before conflict. As believers, we are called to pursue peace in our relationships and interactions.

God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
Despite Moses' offer of peace, Sihon's heart was hardened, leading to conflict. This reminds us that God's plans and purposes prevail, even when human efforts for peace are rejected.

Diplomacy and Wisdom
Moses' decision to send messengers reflects the use of wisdom and diplomacy. In our lives, we should seek to resolve conflicts with wisdom and a spirit of reconciliation.

Preparation for God's Promises
The Wilderness of Kedemoth represents a place of preparation. Similarly, God often prepares us in "wilderness" seasons for the fulfillment of His promises.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does Moses' offer of peace to Sihon teach us about handling conflicts in our own lives?

2. How can we apply the principle of seeking peace, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:26, to our relationships today?

3. In what ways does the account of Sihon and the Israelites illustrate God's sovereignty over human decisions?

4. How can we use wisdom and diplomacy in our interactions with others, especially when facing potential conflicts?

5. Reflect on a "wilderness" season in your life. How did God use that time to prepare you for His promises?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Numbers 21:21-23
This passage provides a parallel account of the same event, offering additional context to the interaction between Israel and Sihon.

Romans 12:18
This New Testament verse encourages believers to live at peace with everyone, reflecting the peace offer Moses extended to Sihon.

Matthew 5:9
Jesus' teaching on peacemakers being blessed connects to Moses' attempt to make peace with Sihon.

Proverbs 16:7
This verse speaks to the idea that when a person's ways please the Lord, even their enemies will be at peace with them, highlighting the importance of seeking peace.

Sermons

The Destruction of Sihon, King of the Amorites	R.M. Edgar	Deuteronomy 2:24-37
Warrantable Warfare	D. Davies	Deuteronomy 2:24-37
The Conquest of Sihon	J. 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

Heshbon, Kedemoth, Ked'emoth, Messengers, Offering, Peace, Representatives, Saying, Sihon, Waste, Wilderness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Deuteronomy 2:26

4230 desert

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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