As Moses continues to recount the travels and travails of Israel in Deuteronomy 2, he mentions their encounters with other nations and people-groups along the way.
First up were their distant cousins, the descendants of Esau populating the area known as Mount Seir. This land was not meant for Israel, so the Hebrews were simply allowed to buy food and water, but were told to pass through the land without bothering the descendants of Esau.
Next on their journey was another relation, the Moabites. (Moab arose from Lot's liaison with his older daughter after the destruction of Sodom.) As before, the Israelites were not to harass or engage in battle any of their Moabite neighbors, only to trade with them.
After Moab, the people crossed the Wadi Zered which brought them to the land of the Ammonites. (The Ammonites came from Lot and his younger daughter.) Again, the rule was the same. The Ammonites were not to be persecuted or engaged by Israel. The nation simply passed through.
Continuing on their way to Canaan, the people came to the Wadi Arnon and the land of the Amorites. Here the policy changed. Although Moses appealed to the Amorite King, Sihon, to adopt a similar stance toward Israel as Edom and Moab had, Sihon refused. The consequences for his inhospitality to Israel were severe: the complete and utter destruction of his nation followed (vs. 34).
The lesson in all of this? When God's people are coming through, be nice to them! Am I right, or Amorite?
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