Deuteronomy 2:13
"Now arise and cross over the Brook of Zered." So we crossed over the Brook of Zered.
“Now arise and cross over the Brook of Zered.”

God summoned Israel to leave the long discipline of the wilderness and move forward in obedience. The Zered Valley, south of Moab near the southeastern Dead Sea, marked the end of the generation condemned at Kadesh-barnea for unbelief. After thirty-eight years, the men of war from that generation had perished, just as the Lord had sworn. The crossing signaled that God’s judgment had been completed and that His promise to bring Israel toward the land of inheritance remained sure.

Jos 1:2 Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise…
Deu 1:6-7 The LORD our God said to us at Horeb: “You have stayed…
Jos 1:11 Go through the camp and tell the people,…

So we crossed over the Brook of Zered.

Israel obeyed and passed beyond a decisive boundary in its history. As the Red Sea marked deliverance from Egypt and the Jordan would mark entrance into Canaan, Zered marked the transition from wilderness judgment to renewed progress under God’s guidance. God had not abandoned His people during their discipline; He preserved the new generation and led them onward toward the fulfillment of His covenant promises.

Num 21:12-13 From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered.…
Jos 4:22-23 you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan…
2Ki 2:14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah and struck the waters.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is recounting the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness as commanded by God.

2. Israelites
The people of God, who are journeying from Egypt to the Promised Land.

3. Brook Zered
A significant geographical landmark that the Israelites crossed, marking a transition in their journey.

4. Wilderness Journey
The period of 40 years during which the Israelites wandered in the desert before entering the Promised Land.

5. God's Command
The directive from God to move forward in their journey, signifying obedience and trust in His plan.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites' crossing of the Brook Zered demonstrates their obedience to God's command. In our lives, we are called to listen and act upon God's instructions, trusting in His guidance.

Transition and New Beginnings
Crossing the Brook Zered marked a new phase in the Israelites' journey. Similarly, God often calls us to step into new seasons, leaving behind the past and embracing His future plans for us.

Faith in God's Timing
The Israelites had to wait for God's timing to move forward. We are reminded to be patient and trust in God's perfect timing for the transitions in our lives.

Significance of Milestones
The crossing of the Brook Zered was a milestone in the Israelites' journey. Recognizing and celebrating milestones in our spiritual journey can encourage us and strengthen our faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the crossing of the Brook Zered signify in the context of the Israelites' journey, and how can this apply to transitions in our own lives?

2. How does the obedience of the Israelites in this passage contrast with their previous disobedience, and what can we learn from this about the importance of following God's commands?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are attentive to God's timing in our lives, especially when facing significant decisions or changes?

4. How can we identify and celebrate spiritual milestones in our journey with God, and why is this important for our faith?

5. What other biblical events involve significant crossings or transitions, and how do they relate to the theme of faith and obedience in Deuteronomy 2:13?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 21:12
This passage also mentions the Brook Zered, providing additional context to the Israelites' journey and the significance of this crossing.

Deuteronomy 1:40
Highlights the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness as a consequence of their disobedience, contrasting with their current obedience in crossing the Brook Zered.

Joshua 3:14-17
The crossing of the Jordan River, which parallels the crossing of the Brook Zered, both symbolizing steps of faith and obedience in the journey to the Promised Land.
God's Faithfulness in Dealing with Nations Outside the CovenantR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 2:1-23
International RelationshipsD. Davies Deuteronomy 2:1-23
Edom, Moab, AmmonJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:4-10, 17-20
The Emims, Horims, Zamzummins, EtcJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:10-13, 20-24
People
Ammonites, Anakites, Avvites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Emites, Esau, Geber, Horites, Moabites, Moses, Rephaites, Seir, Sihon, Zamzummites
Places
Ammon, Ar, Arabah, Aroer, Caphtor, Elath, Ezion-geber, Gaza, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kedemoth, Moab, Mount Seir, Red Sea, Seir, Valley of the Arnon, Zered
Topics
Arise, Brook, Cross, Crossed, Pass, Passed, Rise, Stream, Torrent, Valley, Yourselves, Zered
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 2:8

     5336   highway

Library
A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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