Justin Houtz

Deuteronomy 2, 2 Corinthians 6

DateVersionReading Plan
June 4, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Deuteronomy 2

Observation & Interpretation

Deut. 2:4 – The people were to be careful as they passed through the territory of Esau because they would be afraid of them.

Deut. 2:8-10 – The people were also not to harass or contend with Moab because they were not given their land. The LORD had given Ar to the people of Lot for a possession.

Deut. 2:19 – The people were not to harass or contend with Ammon because the LORD had not given the people their land to take as a possession. “According to Gen 19:30–38, the people of Ammon and Moab descended from Abraham’s nephew Lot.” (BBC)

Deut. 2:24 – The LORD had given the people Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. “Unlike the Edomites, Ammonites, and Moabites, the Amorites were not related to the Israelites. The God of Abraham had not given them the land, so Israel was free to conquer them.” (BBC)

Deut. 2:25 – The LORD would put the dread of the Israelites on the peoples under the whole heaven.

Deut. 2:26-27 – Moses sent messengers to Sihon, king of Heshbon, with words of peace that they would pass through the land peacefully. This is recorded after the people were told that they had been given Sihon to be defeated.

Application

The LORD directed His people as to which lands they were to possess. They were not to contend with some of the lands because the LORD had given the inhabitants their land. The LORD removes kings and sets up kings (Dan. 2:21a) and it is entirely within His domain as to what is to be brought down and what is to be built up.

2 Corinthians 6

Observation & Interpretation

2 Cor. 6:1 – Paul exhorts the Corinthian church not to receive the grace of God in vain. The church “should not allow the seed of the gospel to fall in barren soil. Rather they should respond to such a marvelous message by receiving the Savior of whom it tells.” (BBC)

2 Cor. 6:8b-10 – Paul provides multiple contrasts of his ministry. “The true disciple experiences the mountain tops and the valleys, as well as all the territory that lies between. It is a life of honor and dishonor, of victory and seeming defeat, of commendation and criticism.” (BBC)

2 Cor. 6:17 – Paul quotes Is. 52:11 and God’s instruction to separate from evil. “Christians are not to stay in the midst of it, as part of it, in order to remedy it. God’s program is come out.” (BBC)

Application

It may seem noble to take initiative in being an agent against evil, but we are instead to actively avoid such things. Our susceptibility to temptation seems to be a contributing factor to this admonition. In Gal. 6:1, Paul exhorts believers to restore others but to do so while keeping watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Because of the corrupt nature of our hearts, we favor sin and evil above the righteous things of God. Given this reality, it should be understood just how vulnerable we are to succumb to the evils we are attempting to vanquish. Let us then turn away from such personal crusades and relinquish these battles to the Lord in whose capable hands they belong.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You are sovereign over kings and nations. Father, help me to surrender fully and find rest in Your benevolent reign. Father, help me to flee from sin, pursuing instead Your goodness and righteousness.

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