John Ritenbaugh, cuing in on Deuteronomy 4 characterizing the Israelite's inability to see God despite the pervasive manna and the pillar of cloud or fire, suggested that Israel's inability to see God led to their drifting into an adulterous condition of faithlessness, leading to idolatry. Not only is God merciful, He is just in that the sentence is meted out fairly while He prospered them. He is also supremely sovereign in His creation. When God's people respond faithfully, God rewards them reciprocally. When God's people respond faithlessly, God punishes them reciprocally. Before God brought Israel into the Promised Land, He had already intervened on behalf on their blood brothers, the Ammonites, the Edomites, and the Moabites , placing them in their lands. When Israel arrived at the land of the wicked Amorites, God displaced them because they had defiled the land; not one righteous person existed. Israel was somberly warned not to similarly defile themselves with "in your face" demonism. The wages of sin is death; sin is devastating in its results, defiling even innocent infants. God orderly and systematically gave the conquered land to the tribes as the battle responsibilities were fulfilled. God demands and expects unity in this endeavor. Similarly, whatever is part of the Christian's inheritance will have to be fought for. As God's resurrected saints, we are going to be led into battle by Jesus Christ, fighting against principalities who think we are the interlopers. In the meantime, we are to submit to God and to one another, continually offering thanksgiving, prayer, and doing good as spiritual sacrifices. We must seek the Kingdom of God; nothing short of it will substitute. God removed a temptation to idolatry by preventing Moses from entering the Promised Land.

Ammonites Amorites Anikim Armies of Heaven Bashan Christian warfare Descendants of Esau Deuteronomy 4 Edomites Emim God"s army God's control God's sovereignty Heshbon Inability to see God Internecine rivalry Israel as the executioner Joshua King Og King Sion Kaphtorim Land of the Giants Living stones Men of valor Moses One body; many members Reciprocity Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh Moabites Seeing God Tribal disunity Two witnesses Unity Zamzumin