Deuteronomy 31:4
And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, when He destroyed them along with their land.
And the LORD will do to them

The coming victories would be the LORD’s work, not the result of Israel’s military strength or courage alone. As Joshua assumed leadership after Moses, Israel needed confidence that the God who had led them from Egypt would remain present and powerful before the nations of Canaan.

Deu 7:23 But the LORD your God will give them over to you…
Deu 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you…
Exo 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

as He did to Sihon and Og,

Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan had ruled territories east of the Jordan and stood as formidable opposition to Israel’s advance. The LORD gave Israel victory over them during Moses’ final years, providing a visible pledge that He would also fulfill His promise in the land west of the Jordan.

Num 21:23-35 But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory.…
Deu 2:30-37 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through,…
Deu 3:1-11 Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan…

the kings of the Amorites,

These Amorite rulers possessed fortified cities, established armies, and land that appeared difficult to take. Their defeat showed that no earthly king or people could overturn the LORD’s covenant purpose for Israel. The conquered territory later became the inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

Psa 135:11 Sihon king of the Amorites, Og king of Bashan…
Neh 9:22 You gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them…
Jos 24:8 Later, I brought you to the land of the Amorites…

when He destroyed them along with their land.

The defeat of these kingdoms was complete, including the removal of their power over the land. Their judgment reflected God’s long-declared opposition to Canaanite wickedness and anticipated His giving of Canaan to Israel. Past deliverance therefore became the ground for present faith: the LORD who had acted decisively against Sihon and Og would go before His people again.

Psa 136:17-22 He struck down great kings His loving devotion…
Deu 29:7-8 When you reached this place, Sihon king of Heshbon…
Jos 12:1-6 Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is faithful to His promises and powerful in His actions.

2. Sihon and Og
Kings of the Amorites who opposed Israel during their journey to the Promised Land. They were defeated by Israel under God's guidance.

3. The Amorites
A group of ancient people living in the land east of the Jordan River, known for their opposition to Israel.

4. Moses
The leader of Israel who is delivering God's message to the people, preparing them for the transition of leadership to Joshua.

5. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
God is faithful to His promises. Just as He delivered Israel from powerful enemies, He will be faithful to us in our struggles.

Divine Power Over Adversaries
The defeat of Sihon and Og demonstrates God's power over any adversary. We can trust Him to overcome the challenges we face.

Historical Assurance for Future Challenges
Remembering past victories strengthens our faith for future battles. Reflect on how God has worked in your life and trust Him for what lies ahead.

Leadership Transition
As Moses prepares to pass leadership to Joshua, we learn the importance of trusting God's plan and His chosen leaders in our lives.

God's Sovereignty
God's actions against Sihon and Og remind us of His sovereignty over nations and history. We can rest in His control over our world today.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the defeat of Sihon and Og serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness in your life?

2. In what ways can you apply the lessons of God's power over adversaries to your current challenges?

3. How can reflecting on past victories in your life strengthen your faith for future challenges?

4. What can we learn from Moses' leadership transition to Joshua about trusting God's plan and His appointed leaders?

5. How does understanding God's sovereignty over history impact your perspective on current world events?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 21
This chapter details the battles against Sihon and Og, providing context for God's promise in Deuteronomy 31:4.

Joshua 12
Lists the defeated kings, including Sihon and Og, emphasizing God's faithfulness in delivering the land to Israel.

Psalm 136
Celebrates God's enduring love and mighty acts, including the defeat of Sihon and Og, as part of His deliverance of Israel.

Hebrews 13:8
Highlights the unchanging nature of God, reinforcing the idea that the same God who delivered Israel is active today.
Courage, with God as Our LeaderBishop Paget.Deuteronomy 31:1-8
JoshuaIsaac Williams, B. D.Deuteronomy 31:1-8
No FearHomilistDeuteronomy 31:1-8
Putting Off the HarnessD. Davies Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Strength and CourageL. O. Brascow, D. D.Deuteronomy 31:1-8
The Leadership Made Over to JoshuaR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 31:1-8
The New YearA. D. Spong.Deuteronomy 31:1-8
JoshuaJ. Orr Deuteronomy 31:3-8, 23
People
Amorites, Israelites, Joshua, Levi, Levites, Moses, Nun, Og, Sihon
Places
Jordan River, Moab
Topics
Along, Amorite, Amorites, Destroyed, Destruction, Kings, Og, Sihon
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 31:1-8

     8220   courage, facing enemies

Library
Pilgrim Song
Gerhard Ter Steegen Deut. xxxi. 8 On, O beloved children, The evening is at hand, And desolate and fearful The solitary land. Take heart! the rest eternal Awaits our weary feet; From strength to strength press onwards, The end, how passing sweet! Lo, we can tread rejoicing The narrow pilgrim road; We know the voice that calls us, We know our faithful God. Come, children, on to glory! With every face set fast Towards the golden towers Where we shall rest at last. It was with voice of singing We
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

First Sunday in Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 6, 1-10. 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
Hence, let us learn, my brethren, the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopia of Scripture,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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