This sub-unit is the most elaborate of the recalls of Israel's journey through the Transjordan lands denied to Israel. Structurally, it is bound by a concentric structure, with the geographical notes framing the behaviour required of Israel at the centre:
A. Turning Point in Israel's Journey: "Now turn (pana) north . . ." v3
B. Israel's Journey through the Lands of Esau's Descendants:
"You will be passing ('abar) through the territory of your
brothers the descendants of Esau, who live in Seir . . ." v4,
C. What Israel is Not to Do and Why: "Do not provoke them
. . . for I will not give you any of their land," v5,
C'. What Israel is to Do and Why: "You shall buy with silver
the food you eat . . . even the water . . . for Yhwh you
God has blessed you . . . you lack nothing," vv6-7,
B'. Israel's Journey through the Lands of Esau's Descendants:
"So we went on pass ('abar) our brothers the descendents
of Esau, who live in Seir . . ." v8a
A. Turning Point in Israel's Journey: "We turned (pana) from
the Arabah road . . . and travelled . . . " v8b.
God would keep His promise to give Israel the land. The promise, however, is not a license for belligerence or larceny. Whatever may be our view on whether the modern state of Israel's presence in Palestine is a fulfillment of biblical prophecies, it is a sad fact that Christians, and especially North American ones, have failed miserably to take seriously the ethical demands of Scriptures such as this in their response to modern Israel's treatment of her neighbours. Scriptures do no permit selective ethical behaviour, and here Moses highlights this to ancient Israel: "Do not provoke them . . buy with silver the food you eat." Ancient Israel may be God's chosen people but she may not grap and confiscate what she fancied.
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, rev., 2021