What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Deuteronomy 3:6? Setting the Scene: Deuteronomy 3:6 in Context “They completely destroyed them, as they had done to Sihon king of Heshbon, devoting the men, women, and children of each city to destruction.” • Moses is recounting Israel’s conquest of Og, king of Bashan. • The language is stark and literal, underscoring a decisive, God-directed victory. • This account follows the earlier defeat of Sihon (Deuteronomy 2:26–37), forming a pattern that highlights who is truly in control. God’s Sovereignty in Judgment • God alone sets the standard of righteousness (Genesis 18:25). • The total destruction (“herem”) shows He has authority to bring judgment on sin whenever and however He chooses (Deuteronomy 9:4–5). • Other nations are not exempt; God later judges Israel in similar fashion when they turn from Him (2 Kings 17:7–18). • Daniel 4:35 reminds us, “He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth.” God’s Sovereignty in Deliverance • The very same act that judged Bashan freed Israel. • Deuteronomy 3:2 records God’s promise: “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people into your hand.” • Salvation and judgment can arrive in a single stroke; God determines the outcome for each person and nation (Exodus 14:13–31). God’s Sovereignty over Nations and History • Deuteronomy 32:8—God fixed the boundaries of peoples. • Acts 17:26—He “determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” • Proverbs 21:1—Even a king’s heart is like water in God’s hand. • Israel’s advance and Bashan’s fall were penciled into history by the One who sees the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9–10). Sovereignty and Human Responsibility • Israel still had to march, fight, and trust (Joshua 1:3; Deuteronomy 20:1). • Divine sovereignty never cancels human obedience; it empowers it. • Faithful action is the proper response to a God who rules all things (Philippians 2:12–13). What This Means for Us Today • God’s rule is absolute—nothing escapes His oversight (Psalm 115:3). • His judgments are just, even when they seem severe; He alone knows every heart. • His promises are certain; if He could deliver Israel against giants (Deuteronomy 3:11), He can keep every promise He has made to us in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). • Confidence flows from knowing the same sovereign hand directs both global events and the details of our lives (Romans 8:28). |
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