Deuteronomy 1:42

42 “But the LORD told me to tell you, ‘Do not attack, for I am not with you. If you go ahead on your own, you will be crushed by your enemies.’

Deuteronomy 1:42 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:42

And the Lord said unto me
When the people had armed themselves, and were in motion, or ready to set forward to ascend the hill:

say unto them, go not up, neither fight;
neither go up the hill, and if they did, contrary to this order, and should meet with enemies, not fight them, but retreat:

for I am not among you:
the ark of the covenant, the symbol of his presence, was then among them, but it did not go with them, it continued in the camp, ( Numbers 14:44 ) nor did the Lord exert his power, or show himself present with them, or to be on their side, but left them to themselves, and to their enemies:

lest ye be smitten before your enemies;
God not being with them to fight for them, protect and defend them, and give them victory.

Deuteronomy 1:42 In-Context

40 As for you, turn around now and go on back through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. ’

41 “Then you confessed, ‘We have sinned against the LORD ! We will go into the land and fight for it, as the LORD our God has commanded us.’ So your men strapped on their weapons, thinking it would be easy to attack the hill country.

42 “But the LORD told me to tell you, ‘Do not attack, for I am not with you. If you go ahead on your own, you will be crushed by your enemies.’

43 “This is what I told you, but you would not listen. Instead, you again rebelled against the LORD ’s command and arrogantly went into the hill country to fight.

44 But the Amorites who lived there came out against you like a swarm of bees. They chased and battered you all the way from Seir to Hormah.