January 4, 2014 - Saturday

Start Time: 7:36 A.M.

End Time: 8:26 A.M.

TITLE: Defeat of King Og of Bashan

Scripture: Deuteronomy 3:1 – 29

God’s Message / God’s Promises / God’s Commands:

→ As they set out on the route to Bashan, the King Og of Bashan and his whole army came out to meet them in battle at Edrei.  The Lord however said to them not to be afraid of King Og because God has given him, his whole army, and his land to them.  They will do to him exactly what they did to King Sihon of the Amorites.  And it happened as God said it would.  They captured all his cities, a total of 60 cities – all were fortified by high walls, gates, and locking bars; in addition to that there were also many great villages.  They put all of these under divine judgment just as they did with King Sihon.  All the livestock and plunder they kept for themselves.

NOTES:

Ø In our journey into possessing the land, there will be enemies who will come to challenge us in battle.  But the Lord God is saying not to be afraid of the enemy for He has given the enemy to us and we are to exactly do to the enemy what we did to other enemies that God delivered to us – that is execute divine judgment but keep all the livestock and plunder to ourselves. 

Ø God is a God who delivers and gives victory upon victory as we travel towards possessing the land He has promised.  He has prepared the way and will lead us to tremendous success to give glory to His Name!

Ø More plunder and livestock for us while the enemy will go thru divine judgment – God will lead us to our victory so cast away all our fears and take the confidence from God.

→ God started the distribution of the Transjordanian allotments.  All the lands that were brought under their control at that time were distributed to God’s people.  Then God instructions to the Transjordanian tribes, the Lord your God has given them this land for their possession.  Their warriors are to cross over before your fellow Israelites equipped for battle.  But their wives, children and livestock may remain in the cities that God has given them.  They must fight until the Lord gives their countrymen victory as He did them and they take possession of the land that the Lord their God is giving them on the other side of the Jordan River.  Then each of them may return to his own territory that God has given them.

NOTES:

Ø Part of the Israelites became transjordanian, they decided to live in the land near Jordan and made a covenant to God that they will help the Israelites to conquer and possess the Promised Land that God gave but they will remain at the place they have chosen.  God agreed and so gave the land they chose as their inheritance and distributed it to them.  So their warriors cross Jordan and helped their fellow brothers in conquering battles upon battles under God’s favor.  They fought battles until the Lord gave them the victory and they took possession of the land.

Ø God is a God of promise and a God who listens to His people.  The Lord considers our desires and our choice and take note of it.  That’s why all things, whether good or bad, work together for our good when we are in Christ Jesus!

Ø So each one has his own territory and was allowed to return to his own land after the victory God gave them.

→ God also told Joshua that He will do the same as what the Lord their God has done to the two kings: King Sihon and King Og so they are not to be afraid of them for the Lord their God will personally fight for them.

NOTES:

Ø God spoke to His people’s appointed leader (Joshua) to address the people’s fears.  He comforted and gives Joshua confidence that the battle is won and God will personally fight for them – this is because the leader with the confidence in God will lead the people in full confidence.  To address the people’s fears, one must give comfort and confidence to the leader of the group.  For the people looks up to the appointed leader and the appointed leader’s mind, stature, and heart, will be reflected to his people.

Ø God is a God who personally fights our battles in life!  He doesn’t just tell us to go to battle, He fights with us and wins the battle with us!  So we can be assured and confident in Him in every challenge we face in life for He has won it with and for us!

Ø  God gave them victories over two kings (strong and mighty kings) and used these victories to assure His people that it will be like that every battle they face when they fight the battles with Him.  Let us always bring Jesus in our battle for He is our assurance to win.

→ Moses pleaded to God to cross over to see the good land that God has promised but the Lord was angry at him because of the people and would not listen to Moses.  Instead he instructed Moses to go up to the top of Pisgah and take a good look to the west, north, south and east for he is not allowed to cross the Jordan.  God also instructed Moses to commissioni Joshua and encourage and strengthen him because he will lead God’s people over and will enable them to inherit the land that Moses will see.

NOTES:

Ø Moses was told by God that he is not to cross over Jordan but Moses wanted to see the land that was promised so he pleaded to God.  Despite of God’s anger towards him because of the people, God listened and find a way for Moses’ desire to be met.  He instructed Moses to go up to the top of Pisgah and get a view of the Promised Land.  But he is still not to enter the Promised land for God cannot allow the old generation to mix with the new generation for God is raising up a new generation in His people.                                                     

Ø God is a God who listens and despite of His anger, His grace is more abounding than His anger.  For He still made a way for Moses to see the Promised Land despite of His anger towards him.  God is truly abounding in love and grace!  Praise God!

Ø Moses was instructed to appoint Joshua as the new leader and to encourage and strengthen him because he will lead God’s people.  As Leaders, when we are about to end our journey, we need to pass it on to another whom God chose to lead His people and it is the leader’s responsibility to encourage and strengthen the next leader in line.

Application / Realization:

Ø God is a God who gives our victory in the battles we face in our lives.

Ø God is a God who listens and considers the desires of our hearts.

Ø God is a God who personally fights our battles in life

Ø God is a God whose Grace and Mercy is abounding and surpasses the anger He feels toward us.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Great and Mighty!  Amazing Lord and God, Father and Friend.  I adore You and exalt You for truly You are a God who is for us!  Thank You Lord because You are the source of our victory in every battle we face in life.  You are our strength and confidence in every challenge we face.  You personally fight our battles for us and give us the victory we need to possess the land You have promised us.  Thank You because You have a listening ear to our cries and You consider our desires.  I am more than grateful for Your Grace and Mercy that covers me from Your wrath or anger.  Thank You because YOUr love is abounding and You are slow to anger.  Thank You Lord God Jesus because You are my Rock and You are my Victory.  Holy Spirit, give me Your strength for today, Your wisdom to get through this day, and Your favor and grace.  I want to have more of You in my life Lord Jesus that I can see victory in my battles.  I want to experience Your grace and Your favor every day of my life.  Open my eyes Lord to see Your hand working in me.  Every goodness and love that You do so it may lead me to repentance and changed lives.  I want to have more of You Jesus in my life.  Give me wisdom and understanding to see things the way You see it.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen!