What lessons can we learn from God's actions in Psalm 136:20? Setting the Scene of Psalm 136:20 • Psalm 136 is a call-and-response psalm, each line ending with the refrain, “His loving devotion endures forever.” • Verse 20 highlights one specific act: “and Og king of Bashan— His loving devotion endures forever”. • Og was no ordinary ruler; he was a giant, ruling a fortified region east of the Jordan (Numbers 21:33-35; Deuteronomy 3:1-11). • God’s defeat of Og was the final obstacle before Israel entered the Promised Land. Why Og’s Defeat Mattered • Og’s territory was large, wealthy, and guarded by massive, walled cities (Deuteronomy 3:4-5). • He embodied an intimidating, impossible-seeming threat—Israel could not topple him by human strength alone. • By removing Og, God cleared land “as an inheritance” for His people (Psalm 136:21-22). • The victory displayed God’s covenant faithfulness first promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18-21). Lessons About God’s Character • Sovereign Power – “The LORD your God delivered him over to us” (Deuteronomy 3:3). – No ruler, army, or fortress limits God’s reach (Psalm 115:3). • Faithful Love in Action – God’s love is not passive; it intervenes in history for His people (Psalm 136). – Love and judgment are not opposites in God; His righteous judgment protects His beloved (Nahum 1:7). • Promise-Keeping God – Og’s fall fulfilled God’s word to give Israel “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). – “Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to Israel failed” (Joshua 21:45). • Warrior-Redeemer – God fights for His own (Exodus 14:14). – His victories secure freedom and identity for His people (Isaiah 43:1-3). Lessons for Our Walk Today • Trust God with the “Og-sized” challenges—giant problems showcase His greater power (Ephesians 3:20). • Remember and retell His past deliverances; gratitude fuels faith for tomorrow (Psalm 77:11-12). • Obey even when the odds look impossible; Israel still had to march toward Bashan before God acted (Numbers 21:33). • Rest in His steadfast love; every victory—big or small—is rooted in “His loving devotion [that] endures forever.” Living It Out This Week 1. Identify one current “fortified city” in your life—a situation that feels humanly unmovable. 2. Rehearse God’s past faithfulness aloud or in writing, echoing Psalm 136’s refrain. 3. Step forward in obedience where He has already spoken in His Word, trusting Him to topple what you cannot. |
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