13 'Now arise and cross over the brook Zered yourselves.' So we crossed over the brook Zered . 14 "Now the time that it took for us to come from Kadesh-barnea until e we crossed over the brook Zered was thirty-eight e years , until all the generation of the men of war perished from within the camp , as the Lord had sworn to them. 15 " Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from within the camp until they all perished . 16 "So it came about when all the men of war had finally perished e from among the people , 17 that the Lord spoke to me, saying , 18 'Today you shall cross over Ar , the border of Moab .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:13-18
Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:8-23
(Read Deuteronomy 2:8-23)
We have the origin of the Moabites, Edomites, and Ammonites. Moses also gives an instance older than any of these; the Caphtorims drove the Avims out of their country. These revolutions show what uncertain things wordly possessions are. It was so of old, and ever will be so. Families decline, and from them estates are transferred to families that increase; so little continuance is there in these things. This is recorded to encourage the children of Israel. If the providence of God has done this for Moabites and Ammonites, much more would his promise do it for Israel, his peculiar people. Cautions are given not to meddle with Moabites and Ammonites. Even wicked men must not be wronged. God gives and preserves outward blessings to wicked men; these are not the best things, he has better in store for his own children.