How does Numbers 21:33 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 31:6? Numbers 21:33 in Context “Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and all his people marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.” God’s Immediate Assurance in the Same Scene • Numbers 21:34 records God’s words moments later: “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand.” • The promise is specific, practical, and military: God personally guarantees victory over Og. • Israel experiences firsthand that God speaks, God acts, and God wins. From Battle Experience to Covenant Promise Deuteronomy 31:6 looks back on these victories as Moses commissions the nation for the broader conquest: “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Direct Links Between the Two Passages • Same Audience: the generation that fought Og now hears Moses’ final charge. • Same Command: “Do not fear” in Numbers 21:34 echoes in “do not be afraid” of Deuteronomy 31:6. • Same Ground of Confidence: God Himself goes with His people, both against Og and against every future enemy. • Past Event as Proof: the memory of Bashan’s victory turns abstract theology into lived reality. Supporting Scriptures That Reinforce the Thread • Deuteronomy 3:1–4 recounts the crushing of Og, underscoring that the promise was fulfilled. • Joshua 1:5–6 repeats the identical assurance as Israel crosses the Jordan. • Hebrews 13:5 applies “I will never leave you nor forsake you” to believers’ daily lives, showing the consistency of God’s character across covenants. Key Takeaways • God’s people face real battles, but those battles are framed by God’s prior word of victory. • Historical faithfulness fuels present courage; memory of Numbers 21 empowers obedience during the transition in Deuteronomy 31. • The unchanging presence of God—proved on the field at Edrei—stands behind every call to strength and courage. Stepping Forward in the Same Confidence Because the Lord who defeated Og will never abandon His own, believers today move ahead with the same assurance: His promises hold firm, His presence remains constant, and His past deliverances anchor present trust. |