以色列人擊敗了亞摩利人希實本王西宏後便向著約但河挺進，直至巴珊地。巴珊王噩率領他的軍民出來與以色列人交戰。上帝早已警告以色列他們將遭逢此役，但祂也鼓勵以色列人不要怕他們，並應許要像對付西宏一樣對付巴珊王噩。上帝果真信實的將他們交在以色列人手中（3：6；參民21：33~35）。儘管噩是個大能的戰士，但他也不足懼；沒有一個人的力量能對抗全能者的力量。摩西特別提到噩的大鐵床，說明他的確是個魁梧的巨人（可能比一般人高兩倍），但上帝仍使以色列人得勝有餘，所以他們也不必像他們的父母親一樣，害怕迦南地上的那些巨人（民13：28）。

        摩西也提醒以色列人，噩和西宏有許多城池，都有「堅固的高牆、有門、有閂」，但連這些堅固城和其中的居民也「盡都毀滅」。摩西用這番話激勵以色列的新軍大膽上迦南地，去征服那地的巨人和城池，正如上帝從前為他們行的一樣。

        隨著西宏和噩的敗落，約但河東廣袤的領域也落入以色列人手中。這兩場勝利日後經常在以色列人讚美上帝時一起被提及，因為這兩場勝利開啟了以色列人接下去連戰皆捷的光榮記錄（如詩135：10~12）。以色列人征服了這塊新的土地一定予他們極大的鼓勵，也使摩西預嘗了將來勝利的滋味──雖然他自己將無法親身經歷。摩西也親自將這塊約但河東之地分派給流便、迦得、和瑪拿西半支派。不過那是有條件的，以上三支派必須支援其他支派在迦南地的爭戰，直到他們也得了平安和地業。摩西用這個機會提醒三支派他們的義務和責任。

        上帝讓摩西在死前得以先看見幾個支派得著地業，也看到上帝在戰爭中所顯的神威。但這些還不夠，摩西強烈的想要親自進入迦南地，得見更多未來的勝利，這是他的禱告。上帝對他的要求感到不悅，也拒絕他進迦南之請，但准許他從遠處一覽應許之地的美景。摩西應該知道上帝神聖的話語不會改變（民20：12；27：14）。摩西似乎並不明瞭，與肉身進迦南比起來，他在以後的生命中將看見上帝及其榮耀以更榮美的方式彰顯。摩西不得進迦南是後世所有人的教訓，提醒我們，不順服是要付代價的。

        除了主持重新立約的典禮外（29：10~15），摩西最後的責任就是激勵以色列人不要害怕，而要去征服迦南地，因為「那為你爭戰的是耶和華你的上帝」（3：22）。摩西也委任並鼓勵約書亞要領導以色列人勇往直前。約書亞對這份重責大任可能有些遲疑，所以摩西鼓勵並支持他，向他保證他是上帝揀選的領袖，上帝必會為他爭戰。當上帝選派一個人為祂工作，祂也派其他人給予鼓勵和支持。最重要的是，他自己會提供最大的支持。

        對那些即將蒙主寵召的人而言，最大的安慰莫過於曉得他們擴充上帝國度的工作將持續下去，正如摩西當日所得的安慰一樣。雖然他自己不能進迦南，但是知道上帝的旨意和計畫終必成就，一定也令他心滿意足了。現在他的棒子要遞交給別人；他的工作已完畢。

        噢，主，使我們對您有更完全的愛，因為聖經說：「愛既完全就把懼怕除去」。因此，因著我們對您的愛，我們大膽的朝您在我們生命裡的計畫前進，直到那日，我們能聽見您說：「做得好」。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        After defeating Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon (2:32-33), Israel advanced toward the Jordan River in the area of Bahan where Og, king of Bahan, came out against Israel with defiance and force. God had already warned Israel of this conflict; He had encouraged Israel not to fear and promised to do the same with Og as He had done to Sihon (3:1-2). The Lord was faithful in delivering them into Israel’s hands (3:6; cf. Num.21:33-35). Even though Og was a huge and mighty warrior, he was not to be feared. No man’s power can secure him against the power of the Almighty. Moses mentioned Og’s great “iron bed” to illustrate that though he was indeed a giant (probably twice the height of an average man), the Lord had given Israel a great victory over him, and therefore there was no need to fear those large people in the land of Canaan as had their parents (cf. Num.13:28)

        Moses also reminded Israel that Og (as well as Sihon: 2:36) had many large fortified cities with “high walls, gates, and bars”, but they as well as all the inhabitants, were “utterly destroyed” (3:5-6). With these words, Moses encouraged and challenged the new armed forces to go forth boldly into Canaan and conquer the giants and their cities just as God had done for them before.

        With the fall of Sihon and Og, the vast territory on the east side of the Jordan River came into the hands of Israel. These victories were later often mentioned together to the praise of God, because with them Israel’s other triumphs began (e.g. Ps. 135:10-12). This newly conquered territory would give Israel great encouragement and would also give Moses a taste of the coming victories that he himself would not see. Moses was also able to see the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh receives their “rest” and inheritance as well (3:18-20). Moses used this opportunity to remind these tribes of this, their obligation.

        God gave Moses a foretaste of the future before his death by seeing some receive their inheritance, and by seeing the Lord victorious in battle. Yet this was not sufficient; Moses strongly desired to enter the Promised Land himself to see more victories yet to come; this was his prayer. God was angered by would permit him to see the land from a distance. God’s solemn word does not change, as Moses should have known (Num.20:12; 27:14). It seems that Moses did not realize he would indeed soon see the manifestation of God and His glory in an even better way in the life hereafter than in remaining physically alive to enter Canaan. His exclusion would also serve as a lesson for all the people that there is a price to pay for disobedience to God.

        Moses’ final duties, besides the covenant renewal ceremony (29:10-15), were to challenge the people not to fear, but to conquer, for “God Himself fights for you” (3:22). He would also commission and encourage Joshua to lead them in the conquest (3:21, 28; Num.27:28-23). Joshua may have been reluctant to take such a great responsibility, so Moses was to encourage him and give him support. Joshua was also assured that he was God’s choice and that God would fight for him. When God chooses someone for His work, He sends others to encourage and give support. Moses importantly, He Himself will give the greatest support.

        For those believers who are close to passing on into glory, it must be a comfort to know that he Lord will see that their work in furthering His kingdom is carried on, just as it must have been a comfort for Moses. Although he was not allowed to march into Canaan, Moses must have been satisfied that God’s will and purpose would still be accomplished. The torch was now to be passed on to another: his task had been accomplished.

        O Lord, grant us a more perfect love for You, for Your Word declares, “Perfect love casts out fear.” Thus, emboldened by our love for You, we will march forward in Your plan for our lives until that time when, by Your grace, we hear You say, “Well done.”