Sept. 26, 2014
Deuteronomy 3-Part 1
All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many. Deuteronomy 3:5
LET IT GLOW
There was a time in my life when I put up walls around my shattered heart and no one was going to hurt me again. Well, that was a miserable time. Only my close family was allowed in. Did I say it was a miserable time-no trust, no joy, loneliness, no love shared? Eventually, the love of Jesus penetrated through the wall and went straight to my heart like an arrow. He filled it up with forgiveness, love, and the fruit of the Spirit. Then, it overflowed to others, in spite of the hurt they caused me and my family. I am so glad, too. Life is so much sweeter.
Israel had faced some 60 giant walled cities where their enemies lived. Want to know what happened? Continue on.
Moses continues to review what happened to Israel in the past. We last read about God giving them victory over Sihon, the Amorite. This chapter tells about the defeat of Og, another king of the Amorites. Moses had asked permission for Israel to peacefully travel through their land, but the offer was refused. It was when these two kings attacked Israel that gave them permission to fight. (The victory was a warning to the other nations in the land of Canaan.)
Let's not forget that these people were giants in the land.
Their cities (60) were described as:
- fenced with high walls,
- gates, and
- bars.
Keep in mind, this was a large area of land. God gave His children great victories and Moses repeatedly reminded them of it. This became the land later distributed to the two and one-half tribes-Gad, Reuben, and half of Manasseh (Joshua 13). It was given with the stipulation that they aid the other tribes in conquering their Promised Land.
East of the Jordan River, Israel controlled the territory from the Arnon River to Mt. Hermon, a length of about 150 miles. The land west of the Jordan still needed to be conquered. This statement helps date these speeches as pre-conquest. (MacArthur)
Do we share the victories which God has given us in our life? Do we give Him the glory for them?
Are there walls around our heart that need to come down so the love of God can penetrate it? So others' love can come in also?
LET IT GROW
In verse 11, Moses described the bed of King Og as being 12 feet long and 6 feet wide. It does not mean that he was that tall, because warriors normally had beds constructed with were somewhat longer than their stature. but he was a giant, and Moses mentions the size of his bed to illustrate the great victory which the Lord had given them. (Falwell)
The wives, children, and cattle were to remain in Israel's cities until the rest of the land was conquered. (verse 19-20)
Do we remain where God puts us until He tells us to go? Do we daily pray for our men in the military and our leaders?
Are we prayer warriors for our church people as they go out into the world, facing the opposition of their faith?
Speaking of walls, did you know the city of the New Jerusalem in heaven will have a wall around it. Revelation 21 describes the city as:
- surrounded by a wall great and high, with precious stones in it,
- having 12 pearly gates, three on each side, always open,
- 12 angels at the gates,
- names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them,
- 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles in them,
- foursquare in measurements (1,500 miles),
- streets of pure gold,
- always lit with the glory of God and the Lamb of God,
- inhabitants' names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
LET IT GO
When facing my giants, depend on God for the victory.
Pray for the walls around people's hearts to fall and the gate open when sharing the gospel of Jesus.
Keep looking forward to the New Jerusalem with my Savior.
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