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THE CONQUEST OF SIHON, KING OF HESHBON (I)
THURSDAY, JULY 15
Deuteronomy 2:24-37

Joshua 2:8-14

 

“…I know that the LORD hath
given you the land, and that

your terror is fallen upon us…”

 

THE CONQUEST OF SIHON, KING OF HESHBON (I)
 
The nations of the land that Israel passed through were peaceful, and they treated Israel well. Now, they came to Sihon the king of Heshbon in the territory beyond Jordan. This king was very hostile towards Israel. The Lord hardened Sihon’s heart. Sihon resisted the advancement of Israel and rejected the terms of peace that Moses had offered him through his messengers. Sihon fought and God delivered him and his cities into the hand of Moses. The text records the sequence of events as Moses rehearsed them in the ears of Israel.
 
The Lord delivered Sihon king of Heshbon to Israel. This means that though Sihon was a king and had an organised army, his ability to fight was weakened supernaturally. As such Israel had an easy time in fighting and defeating him. The Lord commanded Israel to continue their journey and to pass over river Arnon because He had delivered to them Sihon the Amorite. God had determined already that Israel would occupy the land of this king. And Israel was to go ahead and possess it, they were to go to war with Sihon and their victory was sure.
 
The Lord told them how He would give them this victory. He said, “This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee” (Deut 2:25). The truth of these words was later confirmed by Rahab when Joshua sent two spies to Jericho. She told them that there has been great fear for Israel since the time they left Egypt. They were all aware that the Lord had given the land of Canaan to them. They were informed of all the miracles that God had shown. Israel had the upper hand over their enemies. Sihon and other kings were too hardened to swallow their pride and to surrender to Israel. This meant that Israel had to wage war against them and subsequently exterminate them and possess their land. The Lord did to Sihon as He did to Pharaoh as Israel left Egypt. Moses had that experience for assurance.
 
THOUGHT: God is an invisible power in battle.
PRAYER: Father, may I fight Thy battles with courage knowing that Thou art present with me.

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