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THE NEW LAND AND HER PEOPLE
WEDNESDAY, JULY 21
Deuteronomy 3:1-17

1 Samuel 17:38-54

 

“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with
a spear, and with a shield: but I come to

thee in the name of the LORD of hosts…”

 

THE NEW LAND AND HER PEOPLE
 
The newly acquired land was Heshbon and Bashan, and in this God gave the bounds of the place that Israel had to occupy. Moses was describing these places that they had taken. He said, “And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Amorites the land that was on this side Jordan, from the river of Arnon unto mount Hermon; (Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;) All the cities of the plain, and all Gilead, and all Bashan, unto Salchah and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan” (Deut 3:8-10). This land was to the east of Jordan River, the northernmost boundary was Mt Hermon. This mountain is also the source of River Jordan. It is a strategic location to this day. Modern Israel annexed this territory known as the Golan Heights so that they could retain the use of the waters of Jordan. The land of Canaan, including this eastern region, is mostly desert, though it is described as a land flowing with milk and honey. When compared to other lands, it cannot be described as the best land. Its wealth and output are because of the hand of God. One should not underestimate what God can do. He has all the needed resources for any task. God gave Israel food even when there was no hope.
 
The people who occupied that region earlier were men of huge stature, i.e. giants. In those days, physical strength was a useful asset to those who were thus endowed. Og, the king of Bashan was said to be one of the remnants of those giants. When Moses and Israel fought against him, he was confident that he would win. His huge physique is described by the size of his bed. It was made of iron, and it was nine cubits long and four cubits wide and one-and-a-half feet high. That implies he was about nine to twelve feet tall. Anyone of such height is considered abnormal. Regardless of the confidence of Og in his size, the Lord delivered him into the hands of Israel.
 
THOUGHT: Any obstacle that seems insurmountable becomes easy to overcome when it is the Lord who orders the journey.

PRAYER: Father, teach me to look up to Thee only for help and protection.

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