Moses begins this chapter reviewing what God told him concerning King Og. After King Og attacked the Israelites, God said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have given you victory over Og and his army, giving you his entire land...So the Lord our God handed King Og and all his people over to us, and we killed them all. We conquered all sixty of his towns, the entire Argob region in his kingdom of Bashan. These were all fortified cities with high walls and barred gates.” (Deuteronomy 3:2-5)
Moses continues explaining that the Israelites now possessed all the land of the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River. “(Incidentally, King Og of Bashan was the last of the giant Rephaites. His iron bed was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide.)” (Deuteronomy 3:11)
In the second third of the chapter, Moses explains to the Israelites how he divided the newly possessed land east of the Jordan River between the tribes of Rueben, Gad, and Manasseh. He continues, “At that time I gave this command to the tribes that will live east of the Jordan: “Although the Lord your God has given you this land as your property, all your fighting men must cross the Jordan, armed and ready to protect your Israelite relatives...When the Lord has given security to the rest of the Israelites, as he has to you, and when they occupy the land the Lord your God is giving them across the Jordan River, then you may return here to the land I have given you.” (Deuteronomy 3:18-20)
Moses finishes this chapter relaying his words to Joshua and the Lord. “At that time I said to Joshua, “You have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. He will do the same to all the kingdoms on the west side of the Jordan. Do not be afraid of the nations there, for the Lord your God will fight for you.” (Deuteronomy 3:21-22)
"At that time I pleaded with the Lord and said, “O sovereign Lord, I am your servant. You have only begun to show me your greatness and power. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great deeds as yours? Please let me cross the Jordan to see the wonderful land on the other side, the beautiful hill country and the Lebanon mountains. But the Lord was angry with me because of you, and he would not listen to me. “That’s enough!” he ordered. “Speak of it no more. You can go to Pisgah Peak and view the land in every direction, but you may not cross the Jordan River." (Deuteronomy 3:23-27)
Wow! Moses did petition for himself. In chapter 27 in the book of Numbers, I stated that Moses didn’t even fight for himself and remind the Lord of the servant he has been, but Moses did.
The chapter ends with Moses informing the people that the Lord told him that Joshua will lead them across the Jordan and give them the land that they see before them.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us to remember all that you do for us daily, so that we reverence you and remain obedient to you. We love you!
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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