Bible Pathway - Mar. 2, 2011
Read Deuteronomy 3
Highlights:
Still outside Canaan, on the east side of the Jordan River, Israelites defeat a giant king; division of land east of the Jordan; Moses not allowed to enter the promised land — emphasizing the importance of doing the will of God and not claiming credit for what God is doing; cities of refuge established east of the Jordan.
Before the people of Israel crossed the Jordan River, they turned and went northward where they were confronted by Og, the king of Bashan. He was a powerful ruler who controlled over threescore (sixty) cities. . . . All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many (Deut. 3:4-5). The area was thickly populated and powerfully defended by giants. Doubtless, King Og and his united forces of Amorites fought fiercely to keep their kingdoms. Nevertheless, Israel smote him until none was left to him remaining. . . . utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city (3:3,6). God enables His people to overcome insurmountable problems and all the glory and praise should be to Him.
The defeat of the united Amorite forces encouraged the faith of the Israelites while striking fear into the hearts of people in surrounding nations (2:25).
The destruction of the Canaanite nations was ordered of God on the grounds of their wicked sins (Gen. 15:16; Deut. 20:10-16; I Kin. 21:26). It was the execution of a long-delayed judicial sentence. The Midianites and the Amalekites also incurred this doom through their sins against Israel (Deut. 25:17-19; Ex. 17:8-16).
Under these kings, the cup of their iniquity had become "full" according to the true and righteous judgment of God (Rev. 19:2). Consequently, God said: Thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee: That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the Lord your God (Deut.. 20:17-18).
We dare not question the sentence as too severe. God exercised His righteous judgment against their sins and used the Israelites to destroy them. We need to see in the severity of these punishments the enormity of the abhorrence in which sin is held by our Holy Creator.
The Lord . . . shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His Truth (Ps. 96:13).
Thought for Today:
Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (Col. 3:17).
Christ Portrayed:
By Joshua who led the Israelites into their inheritance (Deut. 3:28). Through Jesus we receive His promised inheritance among them which are sanctified (set apart) by faith that is in Me (Acts 26:18).
Word Studies:
3:7 spoil plunder; prey prize of the war; 3:18 meet sit; 3:28 charge commission (also 31:14); 4:2 diminish ought take away anything; 4:10 fear gave reverential heartfelt submission to and respect for (also 14:23; 28:58; Josh. 22:5); 4:13 covenant binding agreement with all qualifications given by God (also 5:2; 33:9); 4:14 possess live in; 4:19 divided allotted; 4:27 heathen people; 4:30 tribulation distress, suffering; 4:34 assayed ever tried; 4:41 severed separated; 4:42 unawares accidentally.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by A Family That Loves Jesus • Government Officials: Rep. Christopher Carney (PA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT), Sen. Russell Feingold (WI), and Sec. Ken Salazar (Dept. of the Interior) • Staff: Barbara Bivens • Country: Uruguay (3 million) on the southeastern coast of South America • Major language: Spanish • Religious freedom • 60% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant; 2% Jewish; .7% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for safety in your travels (Rom. 1:10).
Optional Reading: Luke 17
Luke 17Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:6-7
