Moses continues sharing the story of Israel’s days in the wilderness and how when they were approaching the Promised Land the second time they were to treat the descendants of Esau with respect (v1-8). This is because of how they were related and because of God’s promises to these people who like the Israelites were descendants of Isaac. Respecting other people as God desires is a very important aspect of following the Lord.

Two other groups the Israelites are to respect and not take their land are the Moabites (v9-13) and the Ammonites (v19-23) as they were both descendants of Abraham’s nephew Lot. Here we see the promises to previous generations holding true for their descendants.

In the middle of this it is emphasised that the delay in entering the Promised Land was so that the previous generation of adults will all have died (v14-16).

This chapter speaks of the lasting consequences of sin, but also of God’s wonderful promises. The only hope for us sinners, are the promises of grace and salvation that come through Jesus Christ.