Deuteronomy 2-3
Moses continues recounting the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the outskirts of the Promised Land in today’s reading, starting with 38 years of wandering in the wilderness. This speech continues to serve as a pep talk of sorts as God’s people inch closer to seizing the land that God had promised their ancestors. As you begin reading, take note of a significant truth that ought to minister to our hearts that is found in Deuteronomy 2:7 (emphasis added): God “knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” In those moments when our circumstances are such that we find it hard to fathom that God is with us, let us be reminded that He most certainly sees us and will provide for our every need.
Then, when reminding this younger generation of their defeat of King Sihon, Moses utters these encouraging words: “From Aroer, which is on the edge of the Valley of the Arnon, and from the city that is in the valley, as far as Gilead, there was not a city too high for us. The LORD our God gave all into our hands” (2:36; emphasis added). When God is fighting our battles, there is no enemy too daunting, intimidating, or overwhelming to snatch away our victory.
In Deuteronomy 3, Moses tells of the Israelites defeating Og, king of Bashan, once again stressing that no high walls, nor giant warriors (referencing the remnant of the Rephaim, who some suggest stood taller than ten feet). David Guzik comments, “The repeated references to the rephaim in these first three chapters shows that Israel, when trusting in God, was well able to defeat this race of fearsome warriors. It also shows that their fear of these men back in Numbers 13, where they first refused to go into the Promised Land, was unfounded. Their excuses are shown to be weaker in light of the next generation’s victories.”[i]
As we move into the latter half of Deuteronomy 3, Moses conveys to the people how he pleaded with God to allow him to enter Canaan, but God refused. Recall, God disciplined Moses when he struck the rock at Meribah twice to produce water for the grumbling nation of Israel, instead of adhering to God’s command to speak to it (Numbers 20). Although this seems like a harsh penalty for such a faithful servant, this reminds us that God holds spiritual leaders to a very high standard (James 3:1). Even still, God mercifully allowed Moses to see the Promised Land from a distance and charged him to tap Joshua as the one who would lead the people on. “It is a comfort to the friends of the church of Christ, to see God’s work likely to be carried on by others, when they are silent in the dust. And if we have the earnest and prospect of heaven, let these suffice us; let us submit to the Lord’s will, and speak no more to Him of matters which he sees good to refuse us.”[ii] Brothers and sisters, may it be said of us that we are faithful all the days of our lives, comforted by the fact that Heaven awaits and God has a plan (and people) to carry on His Kingdom work until Jesus returns for His bride!
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Journal responses to the following prompts:
· How have you seen God topple “giants” in your life?
· If God has entrusted a position of spiritual leadership to you, do you recognize the high standards He has for you? If not, how can you be gracious and merciful to those in spiritual leadership, understanding that this high standard does not equate to perfection?
[i]Study Guide for Deuteronomy 3. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from
https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/deuteronomy/deuteronomy-3.cfm
[ii] Deuteronomy 3 Bible commentary. (n.d.). Christianity.com. Retrieved May 30, 2026, from
http://christianity.com/bible/commentary/matthew-henry-concise/deuteronomy/3