Deuteronomy 1:42

42 The LORD said to me, Tell them, Don't go up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest you be struck before 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, turn you, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way to the Sea of Suf.

41 Then you answered and said to me, We have sinned against the LORD, we will go up and fight, according to all that the LORD our God commanded us. You girded on every man his weapons of war, and were forward to go up into the hill-country.

42 The LORD said to me, Tell them, Don't go up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest you be struck before your enemies.

43 So I spoke to you, and you didn't listen; but you rebelled against the mitzvah of the LORD, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill-country.

44 The Amori, who lived in that hill-country, came out against you, and chased you, as bees do, and beat you down in Se`ir, even to Hormah.