Conquering Sihon and Og

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Numbers 21:23-25,33-35
Psalters: 251, 73, 297, 373
  1. To take the various cities of this nation was humanly impossible.
    1. They were a powerful people, because of 60 fortified cities (Deut. 3:4,5), large army and giants.
    2. In the face of such obstacles God gives them the promise of victory (34; Dt. 2:24,25,31; 3:2).
    3. The way to victory was in the way of the Amorites refusing to give Israel passage and coming out to battle.
      1. Sihon gathered his army in a move of wile desperation, asking for destruction of himself and his people.
      2. God gave them complete victory, enabling them to kill all the army but also all the people (Deut. 2:33b).
    4. Then, Og, the giant king of Bashan, another Amorite, took the offensive against Israel (33; Deut. 3:1).
  2. Significance of these conquests on the east side of Jordan.
    1. God puts dread and fear of Israel on unbelievers who hear reports resulting in that they tremble and are in anguish because of God’s people (Deut. 2:25).
    2. With a view to the taking of the land of Canaan, God put the fear of Israel in the minds and souls of the Canaanites.
    3. The fruit of this knowledge.
      1. With rare exceptions it hardened their hearts (except a Rahab, etc.).
      2. It added much territory to the land of Canaan (Psalm 135:10-13).
      3. Sings of triumph are made and sung as an encouragement to Israel and to us (cf. 21:14,15; 27-30).
      4. May we know that as we go on to our heavenly Canaan, we can be assured of victory in Jesus.