Deuteronomy 2:7 - Divine care in wilderness wandering

Divine Providence in the Wilderness

The verse (Devarim 2:7) emphasizes Hashem's constant care for Bnei Yisrael during their 40-year journey in the wilderness. Rashi explains that the phrase "בֵּרַכְךָ בְּכֹל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ" ("blessed thee in all the work of thy hand") refers to the miraculous way their clothing did not wear out, and their feet did not swell—despite the harsh conditions of the desert. This demonstrates that Hashem's blessings extended even to their physical needs.

Hashem's Intimate Knowledge of His People

The phrase "יָדַע לֶכְתְּךָ" ("He knows thy walking") is interpreted by the Sforno to mean that Hashem was intimately aware of every step Bnei Yisrael took in the wilderness, guiding them with precision. The Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 1) elaborates that this knowledge was not merely physical but also spiritual—Hashem understood their struggles and provided for them accordingly.

The Forty-Year Journey as a Divine Plan

The mention of "זֶה אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה" ("these forty years") is significant. Ramban explains that this period was not arbitrary but a necessary process of refinement. The generation that left Egypt needed to shed the slave mentality and develop complete faith in Hashem before entering Eretz Yisrael. The Talmud (Arachin 15a) also notes that the forty years corresponded to the forty days the spies spent scouting the land, teaching that actions have consequences that unfold over time.

Lacking Nothing—A Lesson in Bitachon

The concluding phrase "לֹא חָסַרְתָּ דָּבָר" ("thou hast lacked nothing") is expounded upon by the Kli Yakar, who teaches that true lack is not the absence of material possessions but the absence of trust in Hashem. Bnei Yisrael were sustained by the mann, the well of Miriam, and the clouds of glory—proof that when one relies on Hashem, they never truly lack.

• Rashi: Highlights the supernatural preservation of clothing and health.
• Sforno: Emphasizes Hashem's detailed knowledge of their journey.
• Ramban: Explains the forty years as a period of spiritual transformation.
• Kli Yakar: Teaches that true sustenance comes from faith in Hashem.