13 now, rise ye, and pass over for yourselves the brook Zered; and we pass over the brook Zered. 14 'And the days which we have walked from Kadesh-Barnea until that we have passed over the brook Zered, 'are' thirty and eight years, till the consumption of all the generation of the men of battle from the midst of the camp, as Jehovah hath sworn to them; 15 and also the hand of Jehovah hath been against them, to destroy them from the midst of the camp, till they are consumed. 16 'And it cometh to pass, when all the men of battle have finished dying from the midst of the people, 17 that Jehovah speaketh unto me, saying, 18 Thou art passing over to-day the border of Moab, even Ar,
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.