What Responsibility Did Deuteronomy 3 Give Those Who Had Received Their Land?

At the heart of Deuteronomy 3 is the command that those who have already received their land must cross over first for the sake of their fellow Israelites who have not yet received theirs. God delivered King Og of Bashan into Israel’s hands, and Moses allotted the conquered territory to Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. Yet the battle was not over for the tribes that received their inheritance first.

Even Fortified Cities Could Not Stop Israel

King Og of Bashan marched out with all his people to confront Israel at Edrei. God told Moses not to be afraid of Og. He promised to do to Og what He had already done to Sihon king of Heshbon.

The outcome unfolded just as God had said. He delivered Og and his people into Israel’s hands, and Israel captured all sixty cities of Bashan. These cities were fortified with high walls, gates, and bars. The passage places the strength of their defenses alongside the fact that every city was taken. The fortifications before Israel were formidable, but they could not change the outcome promised by the God who had told them not to fear.

This victory repeated what had happened with Sihon. When God told Moses not to fear Og, He first pointed back to what He had done to Sihon. Later, Moses reminded Joshua that he had seen everything God had done to these two kings. Those two victories became concrete reasons not to be afraid as Israel faced the land they would soon cross over to possess.

The Tribes That Received Their Inheritance First Still Had to Cross Over

Moses gave the land conquered east of the Jordan to the descendants of Reuben and Gad and to the half-tribe of Manasseh. He also defined their boundaries in detail. The land stretching through the Arnon Valley, Gilead, Bashan, the Jabbok River, the Arabah, and the Jordan became the inheritance of these tribes.

Their fighting men, however, could not remain in those cities. Their wives, children, and large herds could stay in the towns they had received, but the soldiers had to cross the Jordan armed for battle and lead the other Israelites. The time of their return was also clearly set: they could return to their own inheritance only after their fellow Israelites had likewise received and taken possession of the land across the Jordan.

Receiving their inheritance first did not release them from their shared responsibility. Even after securing a place for their families and livestock, their fighting men had to take their place ahead of those who had not yet received an inheritance. They were commanded to move forward together until God had given their fellow Israelites rest, just as He had given rest to them.

Though Moses Could Not Cross Over, He Still Had to Prepare Joshua

Moses pleaded with God to let him cross the Jordan and see the good land beyond it. But God told him that he would not cross over. Instead, He allowed Moses to look west, north, south, and east from the top of Pisgah, and He commanded him to commission Joshua and strengthen and encourage him.

Although Moses’ request was denied, the people’s journey into the land did not come to a halt. Joshua would be the one to lead them. Moses reminded Joshua that he had witnessed the defeat of the two kings. He then commanded him not to fear the kingdoms that lay ahead. The assurance that God would fight for Israel rested on what He had already done to Sihon and Og.

Deuteronomy 3 records more than victory and the distribution of land. Those who received their inheritance first had to lead the way so that their fellow Israelites could receive theirs, while Moses, though unable to cross the Jordan himself, had to strengthen the leader who would succeed him. The land they had received was a place to settle, but it was also the starting point for fulfilling the responsibility that still remained.

Today, read Deuteronomy 3 again and write one sentence each about what God did, what He entrusted to the tribes that received their land first, and what He entrusted to Joshua. You will see more clearly that the command not to fear was not a vague word of encouragement, but a word grounded in what they had already witnessed and the responsibility that still lay ahead.