Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 3: God gives rest to His people

Begin in prayer

Before we hear of strong walls falling and rest being given, let us praise the Lord who fights for His people. Ask Him to lift our eyes beyond human strength to the salvation of Christ.

Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes to the strength and kindness You showed Israel. Help us see the greater rest Jesus gives through His saving work. Make us more like Him in serving others. Please bless our family with faith as we listen together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Og comes out against Israel at Edrei, but the LORD gives him and his people into their hands. Israel takes sixty fortified cities and utterly destroys their inhabitants, including women and little ones. Moses gives the conquered land east of the Jordan to Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh. Their armed men must help the other tribes until the LORD gives those tribes rest as well. Moses urges Joshua to remember these victories and trust the God who fights for Israel. When Moses begs to cross the Jordan himself, God refuses and tells him to commission Joshua.

As you read Deuteronomy 3, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God fights for His people and gives them rest.

The high walls that had frightened Israel did not stop the LORD from giving them Bashan. Og's huge iron bedstead makes his defeat memorable, since even such a king could not resist God. The conquered land became the home of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh. Their rest brought an obligation to help their brothers receive the same gift across the Jordan. Moses therefore measures Israel's future by what the LORD has already done. His own request to cross is refused, and he must strengthen Joshua instead. The promise rests on God's power, so it will continue when Moses can no longer lead. That rest points ahead to the greater rest God gives His people through Christ.

How does Deuteronomy 3 show us that God fights for His people and gives them rest?

God overcame the king and his fortified cities.

Og came against Israel at Edrei, and the LORD told Moses not to fear. Israel took sixty fortified cities, despite their high walls, gates and bars. God's power proved greater than the strength that had once frightened Israel.

The tribes with homes must help their brothers.

Families and livestock could remain in the cities east of the Jordan. The armed men must cross and serve until their brothers also received rest. God's gift joined the tribes in a shared responsibility.

God would lead His people beyond Moses.

The LORD was angry with Moses for Israel's sake and refused his plea (verse 26). He told Moses to commission Joshua instead. Moses must view the land from Pisgah without crossing the Jordan. Israel's hope lay in the God who fights for them, even as their leader changed.

Memorise

You shall not fear them; for Yahweh your God himself fights for you.

Deuteronomy 3:22

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting to give me the rest that Jesus alone provides?

“Yahweh your God himself fights for you,” Moses tells Joshua. Yet Moses must remain east of the Jordan. The LORD's saving purpose would continue beyond the servant who had led Israel so far.

Jesus brings His people into a rest greater than possession of land. He met the judgment their sins deserved and died in their place. He rose from the grave, having completed the rescue His Father gave Him to accomplish. His sacrifice is enough, and His victory will endure.

Turn from sin and rest your faith in Jesus. For whoever believes in Him, guilt is forgiven and peace with God is secure. The Savior who suffered to bring His people to glory will lead them home.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's victory over Og was complete, and that Jesus gives a greater rest to those who believe. Please explain the deaths in your own words without reducing the judgment. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for giving His people rest, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one ask for the faith to rest in Jesus if they want to.

For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:10

Lord God, thank You that Your promise continued when Moses could not cross the Jordan. Thank You for the salvation Jesus has completed. Please draw each of us to repent and trust Him. Give our family willing hearts to serve others while looking to Him for rest. Amen.