(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 2:24-37)

As Moses recounts the journey of the Israelites from Egypt, through the wilderness, into the Promised Land, we read in today’s Scripture about an encounter with Sihon king of Heshbon. As the Israelites moved towards the Promised Land, we read in today’s passage that they were not given permission to pass through the land of Heshbon. 

Rather than being a setback, an event to frustrate the Israelites, this would be a lesson for them, as well as a lesson for all the nations. This reminds us that sometimes setbacks, challenges, and obstacles are actually an opportunity for the Lord to act, to show the world His power and that He is in control.

Sihon king of Heshbon’s refusal to let the Israelites pass through, from the perspective of the people of God, was an obstacle, but for the Lord it was His plan to reveal His power to the nations.

 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done.

The God of Israel made Sihon’s spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, meaning that his refusal to let Israel pass through Heshbon didn’t actually reveal any power that Sihon possessed, but rather the power and will of God. Sihon’s stubborn spirit and obstinate heart, was a reflection not of his control on this world and his kingdom, but actually shows his own weakness and inability to control. 

Brothers and sisters, as we face frustrations, obstacles, and challenges in our life, may we not only see the power of the world over us, but more importantly, may we see the Lord’s power. Every frustration, obstacle, and challenge is an opportunity for the Lord to do His great work in us, to pour out His grace upon us, and to reveal His plan and power to the nations.

Before we give power over to the world and to the challenges in our life, let us consider that it was the Lord’s power that made Sihon’s spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate.

Let us not allow this world, the people of this world, the frustrations, obstacles, and challenges in our life have power over us. Let us not be weakened, afraid, lose faith, lose hope, and have our peace taken away, because when we do that, we are saying to the world, that power comes from them.

Rather, may we see the challenges we face in our life, as an opportunity for the Lord to reveal His power to us and to those around us once again. May we be reminded of Paul’s famous response to the Lord’s grace saying, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 2