Meaning of Deuteronomy 2:10

This verse from Deuteronomy introduces the Emim, a formidable people who inhabited the land of Moab before the arrival of the Israelites. Their description as "strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites" emphasizes their imposing stature and military might. This detail serves to underscore the significant challenge and potential threat they represented to the Israelites' divinely ordained journey and conquest of the Promised Land. The mention of the Anakites, a well-known giant-like people often associated with the land of Canaan, further amplifies the perceived power and difficulty of overcoming such inhabitants. The purpose of highlighting the Emim's strength is not merely descriptive but theological, showcasing God's power to deliver His people even from seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Context and Background

Deuteronomy 2 is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites as they stand on the brink of entering Canaan. Having been denied entry into the Promised Land decades earlier due to their disobedience, the current generation is poised to fulfill God's promise. Moses recounts their journey through the wilderness and their interactions with various peoples, including the Edomites and the Moabites, who were related to Israel through Abraham and Lot, respectively. The Emim were the original inhabitants of the territory later occupied by the Moabites, and their powerful presence is presented as a reason why the Israelites were instructed to bypass Moabite territory and not provoke conflict with them.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Providence and Protection: The verse highlights that God was aware of the inhabitants of the land, including the formidable Emim, and had a plan for His people's progression. Their strength was not a deterrent to God's promises.
• The Nature of Opposition: The Emim represent a powerful, established people, symbolizing the types of challenges and opposition that can arise when pursuing God's will or entering new territories of faith.
• Respect for Boundaries and Non-Provocation: While God promised the land, He also instructed Israel to avoid unnecessary conflict with certain nations, especially those related to them, demonstrating a principle of wise engagement and reliance on God's timing and methods.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, the Emim can be seen as representing formidable obstacles or deeply entrenched negative patterns in our lives that seem too powerful to overcome. These might be strongholds of sin, ingrained habits of doubt, or powerful societal influences that hinder our spiritual growth or our ability to live fully in God's promises. The verse reminds us that God knows these challenges, and His power is sufficient to grant us victory, even when the opposition appears overwhelming. It encourages faith in God's ability to clear the path or equip us to overcome, rather than succumbing to the fear inspired by the "giants" in our path.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This account fits within the larger narrative of God's faithfulness in bringing Israel to the Promised Land. It parallels the later encounters with the Canaanites, including the Anakim themselves, in the land of Canaan proper. The description of the Emim as "as tall as the Anakites" foreshadows the immense challenges the spies reported and the subsequent fear that gripped the Israelites, leading to their initial failure. However, it also sets the stage for Joshua and Caleb's faith and God's ultimate deliverance through the conquest. The principle of God dispossessing powerful inhabitants before His people is a recurring theme, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations and lands.

Analogies

One analogy for the Emim could be the overwhelming feeling of debt or a seemingly insurmountable career obstacle. While these challenges are real and significant, they are not beyond resolution with a strategic plan, diligent effort, and, in a spiritual context, God's intervention and guidance. Another analogy is facing a deeply ingrained addiction; the power of the addiction can feel as imposing as the Emim, but with God's help and support, it can be overcome.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 14:5: This verse mentions the Emim by name, stating that Chedorlaomer and his allies struck them down. This indicates that by the time of Moses, the Emim had already suffered a significant defeat, suggesting that their power might have been diminished or that their dominion had shifted, aligning with the Moabites later occupying their land.
• Numbers 13:33: This verse describes the spies' report about the Anakites, stating, "We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." This directly connects the Anakites, and by extension the Emim, to the theme of intimidating giants and the psychological impact they had on the Israelites, highlighting the contrast between human perception and God's power.
• Deuteronomy 2:11: The following verse states that the Anakites are also considered Rephaim, just like the Emim. This further links these groups and reinforces their reputation for size and strength.
• Joshua 13:12: This verse mentions that the land of Og, king of Bashan, was also considered the land of the Rephaim. This demonstrates a broader pattern of God dispossessing powerful, ancient peoples to give land to His chosen people.