Questions from the Scripture text: Whom did Moses send to whom in Deuteronomy 2:26? With what sorts of words? What arrangement did he propose (Deuteronomy 2:27-28)? Similar to what (Deuteronomy 2:29)? How did Siho respond (Deuteronomy 2:30)? Why? Who speaks to whom in Deuteronomy 2:31? How does He explain Sihon’s refusal? What does Sihon do (Deuteronomy 2:32)? With whom? Who did what in Deuteronomy 2:33? With what result? What did Israel take (Deuteronomy 2:34)? Whom did they destroy? What did they take (Deuteronomy 2:35)? What was not true, of which cities (Deuteronomy 2:36)? Why/how? Where did Moses say that they avoided (Deuteronomy 2:37)? Why? Then, where did they go (Deuteronomy 3:1)? Who did what, where? Who spoke to whom in Deuteronomy 3:2? What did He say not to do? Why not? What would they do to him? What did YHWH do (Deuteronomy 3:3)? With what results (Deuteronomy 3:3-7)? What was the total result from both kings/peoples (Deuteronomy 3:8-10)? What had been significant about Og in particular? What did his bedstead have to be made of? How large did it have to be? What was done with it after he died?
Who destroyed Sihon and Og? Deuteronomy 2:26–3:11 looks forward to the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the One Who destroyed Sihon and Og was Israel’s very own covenant God.
Just as with destroying the other giants, and giving their lands to other peoples, in Deuteronomy 2:1-24, there is a display of YHWH’s power, generosity, and faithfulness in Israel’s encounters with Sihon and Og.
The passage’s unique vocabulary/language emphasizes that the Lord does this as Israel’s covenant God. “YHWH our God” (Deuteronomy 2:29). “YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 2:30). “YHWH our God” (Deuteronomy 2:33). “YHWH our God” (Deuteronomy 2:36). “YHWH our God” (Deuteronomy 2:37). “YHWH our God” (Deuteronomy 3:3). He Who works all things according to the counsel of His will is the One Who has predestined us to an inheritance (cf. Ephesians 1:11). He is ours, and we are His.
The Lord has done His works in history as their own covenant God, Who has taken them to be His own covenant people. As part of the introduction of the sermon that is Deuteronomy, the Lord is cementing to them their covenant bond with Himself. As He expounds His law to them in the rest of the sermon/book, He gives those laws not merely as their Creator and Lord, but as their own covenant God. He has been faithful to them, and they are bound to covenant faithfulness to Him. Indeed, this was one of the reasons for the complete wiping out of those nations that were under the ban for the completion of their sin against YHWH (cf. Deuteronomy 2:34, Deuteronomy 3:6, Genesis 15:16, Leviticus 27:28).
Does the Lord not do the same with you, dear Christian? He has given Christ, and overcome sin and death and hell, not merely as One providing hypothetical or potential salvation for all who are willing to take it. Rather, His salvation is covenantally focused upon those whom He is taking to Himself. So, not only does He save you in covenantally specific intentionality, but He also calls you to faithfulness in the same way. He is Your very own God, Who has saved you and bound you to Himself. When He gives you His commands, and calls you to obedience, He is not only calling you to obedience and submission, but also to faithfulness to your covenant relationship with Him.
Because He is your very own God, you needn’t fear anyone, not even a 13.5 ft tall, 6 ft wide, giant. And because He is your very own God, you mustn’t disobey or disregard the “smallest” one of His laws or principles. After all, they are His.
What great challenges or dangers do you face? What relation do you have to Him Who is sovereign over them? What commands and principles has He given that you continue to struggle with? What relation do you have to Him Who has given them?
Sample prayer: Lord, You are our God, and You have power and rule over all. We thank You for Your promises and praise You for Your faithfulness to keep them. Thank You for taking us to be Your very own people. Give us Your grace that we may also be faithful to perform all that we owe unto You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP78B “O Come, My People” or TPH496 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
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