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indicated in the opening verses of Gen. 6: The first thing, then, to remember is that here
are the two seeds--Israel, Esau, Moab and Lot belonging to one line; Sihon, Og, the
Canaanite and the Rephaim belonging to the other. In one case God gives possessions
and preserves; in the other, He deprives of possessions and destroys.
Before Israel cross over the river Arnon Moses reminds them of a principle already in
operation. When God had promised the land to Abraham, he was told, in effect, that his
children would not be allowed to enter into possession until the iniquity of the Amorites
was full (Gen. 15: 16). Let us observe what Moses said, and its application both to Israel
and to ourselves:--
"The Emims dwelt there in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the
Anakims; which also were accounted giants (Rephaim)" (Deut. 2: 10, 11).
"The Horims also dwelt in Seir beforetime: but the children of Esau succeeded them,
when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did to
the land of his possession, which the Lord gave unto them" (Deut. 2: 12).
"That (i.e., Ammon's inheritance) also was accounted a land of giants (Rephaim);
giants dwelt there in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims. A people
great and many, and tall, as the Anakims: but the Lord destroyed them before them; and
they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead" (Deut. 2: 20, 21).
It will be seen that in each case, the original holders of land were the "giants", the
progeny of evil. In each case, these were destroyed and their land was inherited "in their
stead" by descendants of Abraham, Esau, Moab and Ammon. There are also the added
words: "As Israel did unto the land of his possession" (2: 12).
While, however, all these peoples have this in common, Israel itself is always
considered separately and alone. Moab and Edom are but household servants in the day
of the true David's triumph: "Moab is my washpot, over Edom will I cast out my shoe"
(Psa. 108: 9). These relative positions indicate that among the one great circle of the true
seed, there will be many differences in "glory" and sphere: all receiving a "justification
unto life", but not all "reigning in life" (see Rom. 5: 12-21). Israel were forbidden to
"meddle" with these other nations, linked as they were by ties of blood. The same word
is repeated in Deut. 2: 24, where it is translated "contend". The two passages emphasize
the absolute distinction made between these two seeds. Israel were forbidden to
"contend" with Edom, Moab and Ammon; but commanded to "contend" with Sihon.
We notice also that Israel were to pay for all the meat and drink that they consumed
while passing through these territories; and they were reminded of the fact that through
all their wanderings in the wilderness they had lacked nothing (Deut. 2: 7). A request for
a passage "through thy land" was also sent to Sihon, King of Heshbon:--
"Let me pass through thy land: I will go along the highway, I will neither turn unto
the right hand nor to the left. Thou shalt sell me meat for money, that I may eat; and
give me water for money, that I may drink; only I will pass through on my feet . . . . .
until I shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the Lord our God giveth us"
(Deut. 2: 26-29).