How does Deuteronomy 3:11 connect to God's promises in earlier Scripture? Setting the Scene Israel is east of the Jordan, recounting recent victories over Sihon and Og. Moses pauses to note an unusual detail about Og’s bed so everyone remembers just how formidable this last opponent had been. The Verse “Only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of the Rephaim. His bed was an iron bed more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide, by the standard cubit. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.” (Deuteronomy 3:11) Promises Echoed from Earlier Scripture • Genesis 15:18-21 – God promised Abraham a land that included “the Rephaim,” showing from the outset that God knew giants occupied the territory He would later give to Israel. • Exodus 23:27-31 – God pledged to send “terror” ahead of Israel and “drive out the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites” little by little until the whole land was theirs. Og’s defeat is a concrete fulfillment of that pledge. • Numbers 13:31-14:9 – Spies feared giants in Canaan, but Joshua and Caleb trusted the LORD’s earlier word. Og’s downfall validates that trust. • Deuteronomy 2:24-3:3 – Before the battle, God said, “I have given into your hand…Og king of Bashan.” The fulfillment comes immediately, underscoring that divine promises never stall. Why the Detail about Og’s Bed Matters • Nine cubits ≈ 13½ ft; four cubits ≈ 6 ft. The iron frame underscores Og’s extraordinary size and strength. • By highlighting the “last of the Rephaim,” Moses signals that every barrier—even giant kings—is subject to God’s covenant word. • The bed still resting in Rabbah is a living museum piece, proof that God’s promise left visible evidence for later generations. Threads of God’s Faithfulness • Promise of Land → Genesis 15: fulfilled piece-by-piece, here in Bashan. • Promise of Victory → Exodus 23: realized as giants fall. • Promise of Presence → Deuteronomy 1:30, “The LORD your God, who goes before you, will fight for you” — demonstrated against Og. • Promise of Rest → Deuteronomy 3:20 anticipates rest once the conquest is complete; Og’s defeat moves Israel closer to that rest. Practical Takeaways for Today • God’s promises are specific—He names the very peoples and places He will overcome—and He keeps them down to the last detail. • Obstacles that look “giant-sized” are opportunities for God to display covenant faithfulness. • Tangible reminders (like Og’s iron bed) invite future generations to recall and trust the unchanging reliability of His word. |
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