Deuteronomy 3:18-22
The Lord's past victories and present gifts summon Israel to shared covenant responsibility and strengthen Joshua for fearless leadership into the land.
18 I commanded you at that time, saying, “Yahweh your God has given you this land to possess it. All of you men of valor shall pass over armed before your brothers, the children of Israel.
19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your livestock, (I know that you have much livestock), shall live in your cities which I have given you,
20 until Yahweh gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also possess the land which Yahweh your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then you shall each return to his own possession, which I have given you.”
21 I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that Yahweh your God has done to these two kings. So shall Yahweh do to all the kingdoms where you go over.
22 You shall not fear them; for Yahweh your God himself fights for you.”
The LORD's past victories and present gifts summon Israel to shared covenant responsibility and strengthen Joshua for fearless leadership into the land.
Moses recalls his command that the Transjordan tribes, having received their inheritance east of the Jordan, must arm themselves and help their fellow Israelites until the LORD gives the whole nation rest, and he also recalls his charge to Joshua not to fear because the LORD who defeated Sihon and Og will fight for Israel in the land ahead.
Moses speaks east of the Jordan after the LORD has given Israel victory over Sihon and Og and after the Transjordan territory has been allotted to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. The new generation of Israel on the plains of Moab, including the Transjordan tribes who have already received land and the tribes still awaiting inheritance west of the Jordan.
Og Defeated, the Land Divided, and Moses Refused Entry
The LORD completes the Transjordanian conquest by delivering Og of Bashan just as he delivered Sihon, then distributes the captured territory among Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh — but when Moses pleads to cross the Jordan himself, the LORD refuses, redirecting Moses's longing toward a mountaintop view and charging Joshua with the task of bringing the people in.