Deuteronomy 3:29

In the valley over against Beth-peor ; i . e . in the plains of Moab (Arboth Moab, Numbers 22:1 ; cf. Deuteronomy 4:46 ; Deuteronomy 34:6 ). Beth-pe'or, i . e . the house or temple of Pe'or, the Moabitish Baah There was a hill Pe'or, in the Abarim range, near to which this town was; it was opposite to Jericho, six Roman miles north of Libias (Eusebius); it was given to the tribe of Reuben ( Joshua 13:20 ). In passing from the historical recapitulation, Moses indicates precisely the locality in which they were when this address was delivered.

HOMILETICS

De 2:24-3:11

The last of the giants.

Though Israel was not allowed to plunder or in any way to behave uncourteously to peoples who permitted them to pass through their territory without obstruction, yet, if they were obstinately opposed, they were to maintain their ground, and to force a passage through. There are recorded here two conflicts of this kind, which were memorable in after-days, and which gave a coloring to the sanctuary songs (cf. Psalms 136:1-26 .). Sihon, King of the Amorites, and Og, the King of Bashan, fought against the people of God, were utterly vanquished, and their land was taken possession of by those whose course they obstructed. We may find in this apparently unpromising theme a topic for pulpit teaching, which may furnish instruction in the ways of God, of which we cannot afford to lose sight. Either of the two cases before us will equally avail for this purpose. We propose to study the overthrow of Og , and the passing await of the last of the giants . Observe—

I. THERE IS SOMETHING OF MYSTERY ABOUT THIS PASSAGE , WHICH WE PROPOSE TO CLEAR UP . There are three points respecting Og which, at first sight , have an aspect of romance about them:

1. The account of the king and his bedstead.

2. The race of giants.

3. The sixty great cities and unwalled towns

—a great many, and that within a space less than that covered by some of our English counties. We can quite imagine a superficial reader, specially if he be one who has a keen appreciation of the liberty of doubting, and who restlessly chafes against the Old Book, saying, "There, it is absurd upon the face of it, just like the legends of other peoples—a piece of mythology." That is the rough-and-ready way in which Moses is dealt with now by many who ought to know better. We are prepared to contest these skeptics at every point, and, what is more, to affirm that a careful study of the latest researches will confirm Moses' statements, and not overthrow them (see the Exposition on this passage; also Dr. Kitto's 'Daily Bible Readings,' in loc .; specially Rev. J.L. Porter's 'Giant Cities of Bashan'). When we sufficiently avail ourselves of the light which modern travel and research have thrown upon-the Bible, we find that what seemed romantic and almost legendary before, appears to be exact, literal, sober truth. This is an age of skepticism as regards the old Word , and of resurrections as regards the old world ; the latter at every step are putting the former to shame. Every word of God is pure, and, however some may load it with reproach, it shall be more than vindicated, and shall abide when the last of the skeptics, like the last of the giants, shall have passed away!

II. THERE IS HERE VERY MUCH INSTRUCTION SUGGESTED IN THE WAYS OF GOD , TO WHICH IT BEHOVES US TO TAKE HEED : as we are presented with this topic for meditation. The passing away of nations and the incoming of others .

1. What a retrospect does the history of the rise , progress , and abandonment of these giant cities , and the dwindling away of a stalwart race , call up before our imagination! Sixty strong cities. More than forty unwalled towns, of which the remains may even now be seen! What a hum of busy life must there have been at one time! and what a degree of civilization at that remote period! "When Israel was a child," a world of strong, skilled life had reached its prime; of some arts a knowledge was then possessed which, somehow or other, we have lost and cannot regain. We can gather, to some extent, what they were, from silent, monumental speech; but while the cities remain, the nation which reared and owned them has quite passed away] Strange spectacle! Huge mystery! That pillars and monuments and records (even on papyrus) should survive the wreck of ages, while the men who originated all have moldered long in dust! 2. How humiliating to see the powerlessness of a nation to guard itself , even when it erects buildings which for ages will survive itself! Those stout walls of Bashan have defied the tempests of three thousand years! But of the men whose wit devised and whose hands wrought them not a trace is left. Is it so? Can a nation fashion that which shall resist the wear and tear of millenniums, and yet do nothing to arrest its own decay? How insignificant does this make a nation seem (cf. Isaiah 40:17 )!

3. How unimportant is it to the world at large whether one nation or another is uppermost! Bashan's people are gone, and not for thousands of years has there been a lament that that race has ceased to be! We ought to learn this lesson: A nation that seems great at one moment, may disappear from the scene of busy life, and, after a temporary shock, a short inconvenience, perhaps, the world would soon adjust itself to the change, and would go on as before!

4. Nevertheless , no nation passes away without some advance in the unrolling of the great map of God ' s providence . God may make much of that of which men make nothing. It was not for naught that Og and his people were dispossessed, Great strength was combined with ghastly wickedness. This is the reason why they were swept away. The wheels of providence are "full of eyes." Unless a nation is accomplishing God's purposes, it will not be spared to fulfill its own! God will rid the world of plague-spots.

5. By sweeping away Og and his people , the way was cleared for planting in their territory a people who should have a nobler faith , even a faith in the One living and true God , and who should also set up a higher standard for national life and personal character . The corner stone of Israel's polity was righteousness. Hence we should be prepared to sing right joyously the old Hebrew song in Psalms 136:1-26 ; and to see in the dispossession of Og a proof of the Divine mercy to the world! Hence:

6. Those who know God ' s Name can look with calm serenity on national catastrophes . Nations have been, and may yet be, swept off; but in all the transitions of power from one people to another, we see the onward march of One who is bat putting down that which is ill, that he may ultimately reset the world in goodness, truth, and love. We can join anticipatively in the song in Revelation 15:1-8 . Note, in conclusion: