Deuteronomy 2:24, commentary and pictures

In the northward advance the verse marks the turn from Moab and Ammon, whom Israel was forbidden to fight because their lands had been given to Lot's descendants, toward Amorite territory. The command was given after the Amorite nations refused Israel passage. God, as the Possessor of all lands, commands Israel to rise up, take the journey, cross the river Arnon, begin to possess the land, and contend with Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, in battle. He promises that He has given Sihon and his land into Israel's hand and promises Israel victory.

The command came when the Amorite hosts were eager and confident that they would blot out Israel, while Israel was poorly prepared, inferior in skill in warfare, and to all human appearance faced a speedy end. Moses urged the people to trust God, keeping his gaze fixed on the cloudy pillar as the token that God's presence was still with them and encouraging the people with that thought, while directing them to do all that human power could do in preparing for war. From that day God would begin to put the dread and fear of Israel upon the nations under the whole heaven, who would hear the report of Israel and tremble and be in anguish because of them.

Israel obeyed by crossing the Arnon and advancing upon the foe, fighting and winning, then following up the advantage until soon in possession of the country of the Amorites. The victory was the work of the Lord's host, won for Israel by the Captain of the Lord's host, and showed that God alone could deliver His people. That same power would have given Israel the land thirty-eight years earlier had Israel trusted in Him. The verse is one of God's promises to be repeated again and again to show the blessing that comes with obedience, while its chapter also gives warnings against disobedience, showing the need to say more about transgression and disobedience.