Deuteronomy 2:33
And the LORD our God delivered him over to us, and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army.
And the LORD our God delivered him over to us
This phrase emphasizes the divine intervention and sovereignty of God in the battles of Israel. The "him" refers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, whose defeat was crucial for Israel's journey to the Promised Land. This act of God delivering enemies into the hands of His people is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, illustrating God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. It echoes the assurance given in Deuteronomy 1:30, where God promises to fight for Israel. This divine deliverance prefigures the ultimate victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ, who is often seen as the fulfillment of God's promises.

and we defeated him and his sons and his whole army
The defeat of Sihon and his forces signifies a complete victory granted by God. This victory was not just over Sihon himself but extended to his sons and entire army, indicating the totality of the conquest. Historically, this event marked a significant turning point for the Israelites, as it opened the way for further conquests in the Transjordan region. The comprehensive nature of the victory is reminiscent of other biblical battles where God grants His people triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds, such as the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6). This phrase also underscores the importance of obedience and reliance on God for success, a principle that is echoed throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who actively participates in the deliverance and victories of His people.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, led by Moses, journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.

3. Sihon
The Amorite king of Heshbon, who opposed Israel and was defeated by them.

4. Heshbon
The capital city of King Sihon, representing the Amorite kingdom.

5. The Battle
The event where God delivered Sihon and his army into the hands of the Israelites, marking a significant victory in their journey.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Battle
The victory over Sihon underscores God's control over nations and leaders. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their own battles, knowing He is able to deliver them.

Faithfulness to Promises
God's deliverance of Sihon into Israel's hands is a fulfillment of His promise to give them the land. This encourages believers to hold fast to God's promises, assured of His faithfulness.

Divine Assistance in Challenges
Just as God delivered Sihon to Israel, He provides assistance in our challenges. Believers are reminded to seek God's help and guidance in their struggles.

The Role of Obedience
The Israelites' victory was contingent on their obedience to God's command to engage Sihon. Obedience to God's directives is crucial for experiencing His blessings and victories.

God's Power Over Adversaries
The defeat of Sihon illustrates God's power over any adversary. Believers can find comfort in knowing that no enemy is too great for God to overcome.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the defeat of Sihon demonstrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we apply the lesson of divine assistance in our personal battles today?

3. How does the account of Sihon's defeat encourage us to trust in God's power over our adversaries?

4. What role does obedience play in experiencing God's deliverance, as seen in the Israelites' victory over Sihon?

5. How can the account of Sihon's defeat inspire us to rely on God's promises in our current circumstances, and what other biblical examples support this reliance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 21
Provides a parallel account of the defeat of Sihon, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.

Joshua 12
Lists the defeated kings, including Sihon, as a testament to God's faithfulness in giving Israel the land.

Psalm 136
Celebrates God's enduring love and mighty acts, including the defeat of Sihon, as part of Israel's history.

Romans 8
Speaks to the theme of God being for His people, ensuring victory over adversaries, much like the deliverance of Sihon into Israel's hands.
The Destruction of Sihon, King of the AmoritesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 2:24-37
Warrantable WarfareD. Davies Deuteronomy 2:24-37
The Conquest of SihonJ. Orr Deuteronomy 2:26-37
People
Ammonites, Anakites, Avvites, Caphtorim, Caphtorites, Emites, Esau, Geber, Horites, Moabites, Moses, Rephaites, Seir, Sihon, Zamzummites
Places
Ammon, Ar, Arabah, Aroer, Caphtor, Elath, Ezion-geber, Gaza, Gilead, Heshbon, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kedemoth, Moab, Mount Seir, Red Sea, Seir, Valley of the Arnon, Zered
Topics
Army, Defeated, Delivered, Giveth, Hands, Overcame, Smite, Smote, Sons, Struck
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 2:30

     5016   heart, fallen and redeemed
     6245   stubbornness
     6663   freedom, of will

Library
A Great Part of South Judea Cut Off under the Second Temple. Jewish Idumean.
The Talmudic girdle ends, as you see, in "Kadesh, Barnea, and Ascalon." Hence it cannot but be observed, that these two places are placed, as it were, in parallel; and whatsoever space lies between Ascalon and the river of Egypt, is excluded,--to wit, fifty-four miles. And one might, indeed, almost see some footsteps of that exclusion under the first Temple, in that very common expression, "From Dan even to Beer-sheba." This country, that was excluded, was something barren. The Talmudists speak thus
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The New Leaders Commission
'Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2. Moses My servant is dead: now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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