Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Deuteronomy
Book: Deuteronomy
Chapter: 3
Overview:
The conquest of
Og King of
Bashan.
(1-11) The land of
Gilead
and
Bashan.
(12-20) Moses encourages
Joshua.
(21-29)
1-11 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.
12-20 This country was settled
On the Reubenites, Gadites, and
half the
Tribe of
Manasseh: see Nu 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.
21-29 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. It
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 thee to have
God for thy
Father,
and
Heaven for thy portion, though thou hast not every thing
thou wouldst have in the world.
God promised
Moses a sight of
Canaan from the top of
Pisgah. Though 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 him 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.