Today’s passage: Deuteronomy 3
Helpful thoughts:
- Moses continues his recounting of Israel’s history prior to their entrance into the Promised Land.
- Today’s chapter includes (1) the more recent history (At the time of Moses’ address) of Israel’s military victory over Kong Og and his people, (2) the promise of the tribes settling east of the Jordan to participate in the conquest west of the Jordan, as well as (3) the announcement that Moses would not be entering the land and that Joshua would succeed him as the leader of Israel.
- Verse 11 reminds Israel yet again not to fear and large warriors as they did in Numbers 13:27-33. God would give them the victory.
- Here is a map of the territory Israel had taken east of the Jordan in the victories Moses outlined so far in Deuteronomy.
Questions to consider:
- What does it appear Moses had hoped God would do concerning His decision for Moses not to enter the Promised Land? How did Moses make his appeal? How did Moses communicate God’s answer?
- What might the people have felt, knowing Moses wasn’t going with them any longer? What would the promise of Joshua’s leadership have helped them to do?
- Ultimately, in whom did Israel need to trust? If we put all our trust and rest in human leaders, what are we missing? Why must our trust be placed in the Lord? To whom will godly leaders point the people they have been given to lead?