Deuteronomy 1:42

42 The Lord said to me, "Say to them, "Do not go up and do not fight, for I am not in the midst of you; otherwise you will be defeated 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 But as for you, journey back into the wilderness, in the direction of the Red Sea."

41 You answered me, "We have sinned against the Lord! We are ready to go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us." So all of you strapped on your battle gear, and thought it easy to go up into the hill country.

42 The Lord said to me, "Say to them, "Do not go up and do not fight, for I am not in the midst of you; otherwise you will be defeated by your enemies.' "

43 Although I told you, you would not listen. You rebelled against the command of the Lord and presumptuously went up into the hill country.

44 The Amorites who lived in that hill country then came out against you and chased you as bees do. They beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah.