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Moses’ Leadership Inspired Confidence, November 10
Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people to battle at
Edrei. And the Lord said unto me; Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and
all his people, and his land, into thy hand.... And we smote him until none
was left to him remaining.
Deuteronomy 3:1-3
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Before them [Israel] lay the powerful and populous kingdom of Bashan,
crowded with great stone cities that to this day excite the wonder of the world....
The houses were constructed of huge black stones, of such stupendous size as to
make the buildings absolutely impregnable to any force that in those times could
have been brought against them. It was a country filled with wild caverns, lofty
precipices, yawning gulfs, and rocky strongholds. The inhabitants of this land,
descendants from a giant race, were themselves of marvelous size and strength,
and so distinguished for violence and cruelty as to be the terror of all surrounding
nations; while Og, the king of the country, was remarkable for size and prowess,
even in a nation of giants.
But the cloudy pillar moved forward, and following its guidance the Hebrew
hosts advanced to Edrei, where the giant king, with his forces, awaited their
approach. Og had skillfully chosen the place of battle. The city of Edrei was
situated upon the border of a tableland rising abruptly from the plain, and covered
with jagged, volcanic rocks. It could be approached only by narrow pathways....
When the Hebrews looked upon the lofty form of that giant of giants towering
above the soldiers of his army; when they saw the hosts that surrounded him, and
beheld the seemingly impregnable fortress, behind which unseen thousands were
entrenched, the hearts of many in Israel quaked with fear. But Moses was calm
and firm; the Lord had said concerning the king of Bashan, “Fear him not: for I
will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do
unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.”
The calm faith of their leader inspired the people with confidence in God. They
trusted all to His omnipotent arm, and He did not fail them. Not mighty giants
nor walled cities, armed hosts nor rocky fortresses, could stand before the Captain
of the Lord’s host. The Lord led the army; the Lord discomfited [overthrew] the
enemy. The Lord conquered in behalf of Israel. The giant king and his army were
destroyed, and the Israelites soon took possession of the whole country....
The hosts of Bashan had yielded before the mysterious power enshrouded in
the cloudy pillar.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 435-438
.
The difficulties that seem so formidable, that fill your soul with “dread, will
vanish as you move forward in the path of obedience, humbly trusting in God.”—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 437
.
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