World English Bible
- Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan. Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
- The LORD said to me, “Don’t fear him; for I have delivered him, with all his people and his land, into your hand. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.”
- So the LORD our God also delivered into our hand Og, the king of Bashan, and all his people. We struck him until no one was left to him remaining.
- We took all his cities at that time. There was not a city which we didn’t take from them: sixty cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
- All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars, in addition to a great many villages without walls.
- We utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying every inhabited city, with the women and the little ones.
- But all the livestock, and the plunder of the cities, we took for plunder for ourselves.
- We took the land at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, from the valley of the Arnon to Mount Hermon.
- (The Sidonians call Hermon Sirion, and the Amorites call it Senir.)
- We took all the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, to Salecah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
- (For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron. Isn’t it in Rabbah of the children of Ammon? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its width, after the cubit of a man.)
- This land we took in possession at that time: from Aroer, which is by the valley of the Arnon, and half the hill country of Gilead with its cities, I gave to the Reubenites and to the Gadites;
- and the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, I gave to the half-tribe of Manasseh—all the region of Argob, even all Bashan. (The same is called the land of Rephaim.
- Jair the son of Manasseh took all the region of Argob, to the border of the Geshurites and the Maacathites, and called them, even Bashan, after his own name, Havvoth Jair, to this day.)
- I gave Gilead to Machir.
- To the Reubenites and to the Gadites I gave from Gilead even to the valley of the Arnon, the middle of the valley, and its border, even to the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon;
- the Arabah also, and the Jordan and its border, from Chinnereth even to the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, under the slopes of Pisgah eastward.
- I commanded you at that time, saying, “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess it. All of you men of valor shall pass over armed before your brothers, the children of Israel.
- But your wives, and your little ones, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), shall live in your cities which I have given you,
- until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also possess the land which the LORD your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.”
- I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So shall the LORD do to all the kingdoms where you go over.
- You shall not fear them; for the LORD your God himself fights for you.”
- I begged GOD at that time, saying,
- “Lord GOD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness, and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or in earth that can do works like yours, and mighty acts like yours?
- Please let me go over and see the good land that is beyond the Jordan, that fine mountain, and Lebanon.”
- But the LORD was angry with me because of you, and didn’t listen to me. The LORD said to me, “That is enough! Speak no more to me of this matter.
- Go up to the top of Pisgah, and lift up your eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and see with your eyes; for you shall not go over this Jordan.
- But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.”
- So we stayed in the valley near Beth Peor.
As we delve into chapter 3 of Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the great victory given by God in defeating Og, the king of Bashan. Historically, Bashan was a rich and fruitful region, located east of the Sea of Galilee, notable for its fertile pasturelands, large cattle herds, and strong fortified cities. Its king, Og, is described dramatically, highlighting his massive iron bed (verse 11), symbolizing formidable strength and power. Archaeologists recognize ancient beds carved from basalt stone in this region, underscoring this detail’s historical authenticity.
This victory, however, was not due to Israel’s military might but solely through trusting God’s promise and power. Moses emphasizes clearly that it was the Lord God who delivered Og into their hands, reinforcing the theme of reliance on the Lord’s sovereignty as Israel advances towards the promise.
Indeed, the Psalmist later captures the spirit of these victories in poetry, writing:
“He struck down great nations and killed mighty kings—Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan—and gave their land as an inheritance to His people Israel.” (Psalm 135:10-12, New International Version)
As Christians today, we must remember that our spiritual victory is never achieved by our own strength but “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, New International Version).
Consider today: what battles or challenges do you face? Take heart and trust God, knowing that victory is secured by His promise and power, not by our own limited strength.
Hymn Suggestion: “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by Martin Luther, a song celebrating God as our fortress and strength against mighty foes.
Moses details the land allocations given east of the Jordan River to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Still, significantly, these tribes were commanded not to settle comfortably until their brothers had also received their inheritance and found rest on the west side of the Jordan River.
This principle of communal responsibility and unity is crucial yet often overlooked. God shows here the importance of solidarity among His people: Israel will find rest together, or they will not find it at all.
This communal responsibility is echoed in the New Testament community of believers, illustrated aptly in Galatians 6:2 (English Standard Version):
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
As modern readers, we live in societies marked by individualism. But here, we learn the biblical value of community and mutual care. Our well-being, spiritually and materially, is bound up with our commitment to one another. Pause today and reflect on how you might better serve your brothers and sisters in faith, ensuring that none are left behind or forgotten.
In the closing verses of chapter 3, Moses recounts a deeply personal exchange he had with God. He earnestly pleaded to be allowed to cross over and see the Promised Land. God’s answer was firm and gracious: Moses would not enter personally, yet God allowed him to view the land from Mount Pisgah (verse 27).
Even Moses, the faithful leader, had to accept God’s sovereignty and wisdom. God’s decision might seem harsh to modern readers, but historically interpreters across Christian traditions have thoughtfully emphasized the lesson: all—even leaders—must humbly accept divine limitations and trust fully in God’s good intentions.
The rich Hebrew term used in Moses’ plea (“אֶעְבְּרָה” transliterated “e’ebrah,” meaning “let me cross over”) expresses heartfelt yearning and emotional depth, highlighting Moses’ earnest desire for divine favor. Yet, like us, Moses learned that unanswered prayers might indeed be a divine gift rather than a disappointment—as God has a greater plan.
Moses’ obedient acceptance prefigured Christ’s ultimate surrender in Gethsemane—where Jesus accepted the Father’s will rather than His human desire (Matthew 26:39, New International Version). Submission to God’s wisdom remains a difficult yet essential mark of spiritual maturity. If your prayers seem unanswered today, trust the infinite wisdom and love of God who sees beyond our immediate desires into eternal purposes.
In Deuteronomy 3, we have journeyed from triumph in battle, intimacy in community, to humility before God’s sovereignty. Each of these aspects reminds us of the depth and richness of our journey with God.
Let us thoughtfully ask ourselves today:
- Whose strength am I relying on in the trials I face?
- Who around me needs my support and commitment as a brother or
sister in Christ?
- Am I willing to lay down my desires for God’s better, wiser
purpose as Moses did?
May we have the grace to internalize these truths deeply today.
Heavenly Father, you alone give victory to your people. Thank you for providing strength when ours fails. Teach us greater dependence on you and greater devotion to each other, as you commanded Israel thousands of years ago. Give us hearts to trust your wisdom when our prayers seem unanswered. Lord, grant us the grace to see your benevolent hand even in difficult circumstances. In Christ’s precious name we pray. Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on Deuteronomy Chapter 3