提要
在本章，摩西繼續教導以色列人的新生代認識他們自己的歷史，並述及他們也親身參與過的，時間較近的事件。摩西強調，即使當以色列人被放逐到曠野過艱難的生活，上帝仍然繼續引導、照顧他們。上帝並沒有拋棄他們，乃是讓他們接受管教。雖然他們拒絕上帝，用話語和悖逆的行為侮辱祂，但上帝還是慈愛的看顧他們，使他們一無所缺（2：7）。四十年來，他們有充足的食物、水、衣服，還有上帝親自的保護。
他們大部分的時間似乎都是在西珥山一帶飄流，後來上帝才吩咐他們向北走（2：1~3）。他們也有明確的目的地；他們不可發動戰爭，不可侵擾以東（以掃的後裔）、摩押、亞捫人（羅得的後裔）的領土，因為以色列人和這些亞拉罕的旁系後裔是親戚，他們所住之地也是上帝賜給他們的，而且上帝也曾為他們驅逐、除滅原地上的「巨人」。以色列新的一代聆聽這些事蹟以後，應當大得鼓勵，因為如果上帝為那些百姓爭戰，祂當然更會為自己的選民成就大事，所以他們不必像他們的父母親一樣，害怕迦南地上的巨人。回顧上帝的作為應該使他們產生勇氣、信心，大膽的上前去佔領迦南地。
在以色列人過撒烈溪之前（撒烈溪是河東區流入死海南端的一條主要河流）所有在第一次核點民數時被數點的兵丁和那些背叛上帝的人（民一章，14：29）都如上帝所說的，陸續倒斃在曠野。然而他們一過了撒烈溪之後，上帝就開始施行大能，使其他的國家害怕以色列（2：25），因為祂的軍隊所向無敵。祂向所有新一代的兵丁宣示：「你們起來，前往……」（2：24）。就這樣上帝與以色列人同在，使他們大勝亞摩利王西宏，得了他的地，一如上帝對亞伯拉罕的預言，亞摩利人受審判的時候確已成熟（創15：16）。雖然迦南地還有尚未被征服的亞摩利人，但所有約但河東的亞摩利人都被完全毀滅。上帝藉這一場勝利為以色列人展示了祂的能力和絕對的主權。
摩西告訴他們這個光榮的故事，好加增他們的勇氣和信心，繼續相信上帝會再次走在他們前頭，賜給他們更多的勝利，因為他們過了約但河後就會遭遇與迦南人的爭戰。不過，當他們知道他們的敵人心懷恐懼，以及上帝會與他們同在以後，信心必定大增──不是相信自己，乃是相信上帝會以祂的大能幫助他們。上帝過去、現在都掌管萬事，並賜下得勝和祝福給那些忠於祂、順服祂的人。
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Overview
In this chapter, Moses continued teaching the new generation of their history, bring g it up to their own time and events in which they were involve. He laid stress on the fact that even while Israel was exiled to the hard life of the wilderness, God continued to guide and care for them. They were in a period of discipline, but not abandonment. Though they had rejected God and insulted Him by their words and rebellion, He lovingly saw to that they lacked nothing (2:7). They had sufficient food, water, clothing, and divine protection.
It appears that most of their wanderings were in the area of Mount Seir until the Lord gave them word to go northward (2:1-3). They had a specific destination; they were not to wage war, not take the territory of their “brethren” from Edom (descendant of Esau), Moab, or Ammon (descendants of Lot), for they were kinsmen, and God had given them their lands as a possession. God had also driven out and destroyed the “giants” (men of large stature) for these descendants of Abraham. Hearing this would encourage the new generation of Israelites, for if God had done this for those people, He surely would do the same for His own chosen people. Therefore, they were not to fear the large people in the land of Canaan as their parents had done. Learning of this would give them courage and confidence to boldly go in and take the land of Canaan.
By the time they crossed over the Valley of Zered (the main valley and stream from the east which flows into the southern end of the Dead Sea), all the fighting men who had been numbered in the first census and who had rebelled against God (Num.1; 14:29) had died, just as the Lord had said. From this time on, God began to move in a mighty way and caused the other nations to fear Israel (2:25), for His army was on the move. He announced to all the new generation of fighting men: “Rise, take your journey” (2:24). Because the Lord was with them, they went on to be victorious over Sihon, king of the Amorites, and to possess his land (cf. Num.21:21-24). Their time was indeed ripe for judgment, as the Lord had prophesied to Abraham, and it came about at the set time of Israel’s conquest (cf. Gen.15:16). There were still Amorites in the land of Canaan who had yet to be conquered, but all those who had spread into Transjordon were totally destroyed. With this victory, God demonstrated His power and absolute authority on behalf of Israel.
This story of victory told to them by Moses would give courage and faith to go on believing that God would again go before them and give them more victories, for they had yet to cross the Jordan and engage in battle with the Canaanites. However, knowing their enemies feared them and that God would be with them must have given them tremendous confidence, not in themselves, but in God who would enable them by His power. God was, and still is, in control of events and gives victory and blessings to those who are faithful and obedient to Him.
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