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Deuteronomy 3-4

Deuteronomy 3

Og was very powerful, but he did not take warning by the ruin of Sihon, and desire conditions of peace. He trusted his own strength, and so was hardened to his destruction. Those not awakened by the judgments of God on others, ripen for the like judgments on themselves.

This country was settled on the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh: see Numbers 32. Moses repeats the condition of the grant to which they agreed. When at rest, we should desire to see our brethren at rest too, and should be ready to do what we can towards it; for we are not born for ourselves, but are members one of another.

Moses encouraged Joshua, who was to succeed him. Thus the aged and experienced in the service of God, should do all they can to strengthen the hands of those who are young, and setting out in religion. Consider what God has done, what God has promised. If God be for us, who can be against us, so as to prevail? We reproach our Leader if we follow him trembling. Moses prayed, that, if it were God's will, he might go before Israel, over Jordan into Canaan.

We should never allow any desires in our hearts, which we cannot in faith offer up to God by prayer. God's answer to this prayer had a mixture of mercy and judgment. God sees it good to deny many things we desire. He may accept our prayers, yet not grant us the very things we pray for. If God does not by His providence give us what we desire, yet if by His grace He makes us content without, it comes to much the same. Let it suffice us to have God for our Father, and heaven for our portion, though we may not have all that we desire.

God promised Moses a sight of Canaan from the top of Pisgah. Although he should not have the possession of it, he should have the prospect of it. Even great believers, in this present state, see heaven but at a distance. God provided Moses a successor. It is a comfort to the friends of the church of Christ, to see God's work likely to be carried on by others, when they are silent in the dust. And if we have the earnest and prospect of heaven, let these suffice us; let us submit to the Lord's will, and speak no more to Him of matters which he sees good to refuse us.

Deuteronomy 4

On the ground of this survey Moser exhorted the people to be obedient, His appeal was based on the greatness of their God and the perfection of His law. Their whole existence as a nation centered around a spiritual ideal. Therefore, he re­emphasized the importance of their attempting to make no likeness to God.

Looking on into the future, he uttered words which in the light of subsequent history are seen to have been prophetic. He actually foretold the story of the corruption of the people in the land and their ultimate exclusion from it. Nevertheless, he also declared that when they would turn to Him again with a full heart, He would still have mercy on them and restore them.

Finally, he urged them to make comparison of the facts of their national existence with all other history. Their God had spoken to them. Their God had acted for them. Therefore Moses urged them to how that He was God and to keep His commandments.

The end of the chapter briefly records, first, the appointment of three cities of refuge, and then constitutes the beginning of an introduction to the second discourse. This beginning carefully marks the place, time, and subject.