Deuteronomy chapter 2

vs 1

It was a long time. A very long time.

vs 2

Was there no way to moderate these verse numberings a little?

vs 3

Finally! After many moons of wandering, the people can finally start the long (but nothing close to 40 years long) trip to the Promised Land. In fact, after 40 years of wandering, it probably seemed like a doddle.

vs 4

Unfortunately, it wasn't just a matter of a simple eleven day stroll. God has plans even before then. First of all, they are going to be marching through the land of their estranged brethren, the descendents of Esau. It is noted that these people will be afraid of them. That's a mark against them. See, what it means is that they think Israel might try and invade their land. Whilst that might sound like a reasonable sort of thing to think, it means they have no idea what God has planned for the Israelites. Which means they're out of touch with God. That's bad.

vs 5

It's bad because God gave them that land. They should be thankful to God for it, and if they fear God taking it from them, they should ask him about it. Instead, they've got this crazy idea that it's all just some human thing that's going on, a mass migration of sorts. But it's not. It's God's plan.

By the same token, the Israelites have been wandering in the desert for so long they can't remember, and now they're going to go and set foot on better land, and they might think, "This'll do! Why do we have to walk all the way to the Jordan?" But that would be bad for them - because they would also be ignoring God's plan for them.

vs 6

Now who can argue with that? I mean, yes, water is a fairly precious resource in the Middle East, but these people are on some sort of special pilgrimage. Imagine how fondly they would be remembered, "You, Esau, you helped us with food and water when we walked through your land on the way to the land God promised us." What a heartwarming tale.

vs 7

The intimation here is that since God has supplied all your needs, and you have seen that, it's now time to listen to him and to do as he says. Give it a go. It might even work!

vs 8

Sounds like a happy Sunday drive, just with over a million people in the back seat.

vs 9

Again, war is not to be waged here. This is the land of Lot's descendents. It's funny that Esau (Jacob's brother) got his land, and even Lot (Abraham's nephew) got a land of his own, but the promise of God that flowed down through Abraham to Jacob still has yet to be fulfilled!