Devarim 3 (Deuteronomy 3)
Devarim 3, Moshe continues the discussion of the exploits of the Second Generation. How they defeated Og of Bashan and took his land. The land of Sichon and Og was given to Reuven, Gad and the half tribe of Menashsheh. Moshe requests that Yehovah allow him to enter the land. Yehovah will allow Moshe to enter the land and tells him not to speak of this anymore. Moshe is to encourage Yehoshua, his replacement.
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Pattern of Events
Pattern of Events
Devarim 3:1
1 Then we turned, and went up the way to Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
Unlike with Sichon, Moshe did not send letters to Og of Bashan. Og seemed to be far more aggressive than Sichon. He was probably already informed of Sichon’s defeat. He was not going to wait for Yisrael to request passage, Bemidbar 21:33.
33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan. And Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
It seems that Og did not delay in assembling his army for war. Yehovah told Moshe in Bemidbar 21:34, that He had delivered Og into the hands of Yisrael.
34 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Fear him not. For I have delivered him into your hand, and all his people, and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sichon king of the Emori, which dwelt at Cheshbon.
Very few of Yisrael’s opponents understood the power that went before them. If Yehovah was for Yisrael, no man could stand before them. All opponents fell.
The same is true for us. If we are walking in the purposes and the will of Yehovah, He will make a way for us. This is an important fact we need to understand. Once we start to walk in His will and purposes, the only thing left is to follow in His righteousness. When we do that we have a clear path ahead of us.
Moshe told the people in Devarim 3:2 that they had nothing to fear.
2 And Yehovah said to me, Fear him not, for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into your hand; and you shall do to him as you did to Sichon king of the Emori, which dwelt at Cheshbon.
Again the assurance of Yehovah that He would deliver these people into their hands. There was no one that could stand against Yisrael, Devarim 3:3.
3 So Yehovah our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people. And we smote him until none was left to him remaining.
One would think that at this point, the people of the land would start to understand that no one could stand against Yisrael. All opponents were defeated easily by Yisrael. However, rather than get the message; the people seem to think that it would be different for them.
Similarly believers and non-believers often get this idea that it will be different for them. Just because some may get away with something, does not mean everyone will. As in the case of Edom, Ammon and Moav, they were not challenged for reasons not easily understood by others at that time or even today. If one would take time to meditate on Scriptures, they would start to see a pattern of why things happen.
It seems most people think they can go on living their lives without fully submitting to Yehovah. After salvation, many do not seem to change much. Sure they will change a few things, but few will totally submit to God’s ways. They act as if they have a hall pass and they can continue to slowly change. The reality is, we need to understand the pattern before events overtake us. If not, like many of the Kenaani, we will not easily survive the onslaught of life.
We need to be like the Children of Yisrael on the first Passover, Shemos 12:11.
11 And thus shall you eat it; your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste. It Yehovah’s Passover.
We must be ready to leave Mitzrayim behind in haste. We are to make the decision and leave immediately. We are never to return to the former life. Unfortunately, too many of us slowly progress out of sin rather than amputate sin out of our lives. We need to realize that we are never as committed to His ways as we like to think we are. It is as if we think He will not notice or He allows us a few indiscretions in life. Remember He is coming with fire. That is both for the believer and non-believer alike. He intends to remove sin completely from this earth. We can make it a lot easier on ourselves if we start now. We need to initiate our own refusal to continue in the former life. We need to leave the former life behind never to return.
A Different Allegiance
A Different Allegiance
Devarim 3:4
4 And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, sixty cities, all the region of Argov, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
Through Yehovah, the Children of Yisrael were able to take over 60 cities. Through the defeat of Sichon and Og, Yisrael had taken considerable lands. They had broken any resistance east of the Yarden River.
Devarim 3:5
5 All these cities fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.
Although these cities had walls protecting them, they were no match for the strength of Yehovah flowing through the Children of Yisrael. The same could be true for us if we would learn the lesson of the Second Generation. They did not follow in the footsteps of their parents. Their allegiance was to the faith and not their earthly family, Matityahu 10:37-38.
37 He that loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he that loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he that takes not his cross, and follows after Me, is not worthy of Me.
We need to follow after Yeshua first and foremost and not our earthly families. We need to lead our families into the faith of Yeshua.
Devarim 3:6-7
6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did to Sichon king of Cheshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city. 7 But all the beasts (behemah), and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves.
As with Sichon, Yisrael destroyed men, women and children of this region. They did keep the spoils and the animals of the region.
Devarim 3:8-10
8 And we took at that time out of the hand of the two kings of the Emori the land that was on this side Yarden, from the river (nachal) of Arnon to mount Chermon; 9 Chermon the Tzidonim call Siryon; and the Emori call it Senir; 10 all the cities of the plain, and all Gilad, and all Bashan, to Salkha and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
After Yisrael destroyed Og and his people, the Children of Yisrael had taken the allotted land on the east of the Yarden River. There were three groups, the Children of Yisrael did not war with; Edom, Moav and Ammon, the descendants of Esav and Lot.
The land east of the Yarden River was not necessarily in the original inheritance or possibly it was. There may have been a reason Yehovah did not mention the land previously. The Children of Yisrael would start to possess the land before the crossing. They would be moving in victory before they crossed the Yarden River. This would cause even more fear for the Kenaani on the west side of the Yarden River. Yisrael would continue to absorb the land as they moved forward. This should have continued in the years after Yehoshua. However, sometimes we forget who we are and become people of the world.
Never neglect who you serve and His standard of righteousness.
Giants
Giants
Devarim 3:11
11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of Refaim; behold, his bedstead a bedstead of iron; it not in Rabbat of the children of Ammon? Nine ammah the length thereof, and four ammah the breadth of it, after the ammah of a man (iysh).
Refaim (formerly giants) is the Hebrew word רָפָא rafa (H7497). The Hebrew text in Devarim 3:11 is הָרְפָאִים, the Refaiym. רָפָא rafa (H7497) is in the Bible 25 times. It is translated giant 17 times and Refaim 8 times. Rather than being a tribe of giants, they may have been people who were unusually tall.
The assumption of many is that there were giants roaming the earth at one time. However, beyond myths; there is really no reason to take such a position. Today there are people who are considered giants in comparison to others. It is more than likely the reference to giants was used in a figurative manner.
Whether there were races of giants does not affect the overall validity of Scriptures in any way. Nor does it affect the doctrine of the Bible. One can argue either way without proof positive. This falls under the heading of Titus 3:9.
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Knowing the answer to whether there were giants will not help a believer’s walk one step. It is a debate that is more of a distraction than anything else.
Either way, it is true that Og’s bed was 9 by 4 ammahs. This is little proof that he was a giant. It just means he had a rather large bed. For all we know, he may have tossed and turned quite a bit or had several other people in the bed with him at one time. The size of his bed is no proof of Og’s stature.
Eastern Inheritance
Eastern Inheritance
Devarim 3:12-17
12 And this land, we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which by the river (nachal) Arnon, and half Mount Gilad, and the cities thereof, gave I to the Reuveni and to the Gadi. 13 And the rest of Gilad, and all Bashan, the kingdom of Og, gave I to the half tribe of Menashsheh; all the region of Argov, with all Bashan, which was called the land of Refaim. 14 Yair the son of Menashsheh took all the country of Argov to the coasts of Geshuri and Maakhati; and called them after his own name, Bashan-Havvot-Yair, to this day. 15 And I gave Gilad to Makhir. 16 And to the Reuveni and to the Gadi I gave from Gilad even to the river (nachal) Arnon half the valley (tavek), and the border even to the river (nachal) Yabboq, the border of the children of Ammon; 17 The plain (aravah) also, and Yarden, and the coast, from Kinneret even to the sea of the plain (aravah), the Salt Sea, under Ashdoth-Pisgah eastward.
The lands on the east side of the Yarden were given to Reuven, Gad and the half tribe of Menashsheh. This was a result of Reuven and Gad’s proposal in Bemidbar 32:2-5.
2 The Children of Gad and the Children of Reuven came and spoke to Moshe, and to Elazar the priest, and to the leaders (nasiy) of the congregation, saying, 3 Atarot, and Divon, and Yazer, and Nimra, and Cheshbon, and Elale, and Sevam, and Nevo, and Beon, 4 the country which Yehovah smote before the congregation of Yisrael, a land for cattle (miqneh), and your servants have cattle (miqneh). 5 Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession, bring us not over Yarden.
Their proposal was beneficial for the Children of Yisrael overall. If this land was not inhabited by the Children of Yisrael, it was only a matter of time before someone else would take the land. It was a beneficial agreement for all involved.
Devarim 3:18-20
18 And I commanded you at that time, saying, Yehovah your Redeemer has given you this land to possess it. You shall pass over armed before your brethren the Children of Yisrael, all meet for the war. 19 But your wives, and your little ones, and your cattle, I know that you have much cattle, shall abide in your cities which I have given you; 20 until Yehovah have given rest to your brethren, as well as to you, and they also possess the land which Yehovah your God has given them beyond Yarden. And you shall return every man to his possession, which I have given you.
Reuven, Gad and the half tribe of Menashsheh were to cross over the Yarden with the remaining tribes and subdue the land. Their wives, children and animals would stay on the east side of the Yarden. When the remaining tribes were given rest on the west side of the Yarden, Reuven, Gad and the half tribe of Menashsheh could return to the eastern side of the Yarden River.
The agreement included a provision for those that remained on the east side of the Yarden River, Bemidbar 32:16-17.
16 And they came near to him, and said, We will build enclosures (gedera) here for our livestock (miqneh), and cities for our little ones. 17 But we ourselves will go ready armed before the Children of Yisrael, until we have brought them to their place. And our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.
Before they crossed over, they would build enclosures for the livestock and those they left behind. Prior to crossing the Yarden River, Yehoshua reminded these tribes of their commitment, Yehoshua 1:12-13.
12 And to the Reuveni, and to the Gadi, and to half the tribe (shevet) of Menashsheh, spoke Yehoshua, saying, 13 Remember the word which Moshe the servant of Yehovah commanded you, saying, Yehovah your Redeemer had given you rest, and had given you this land.
They replied with Yehoshua 1:16-18.
16 And they answered Yehoshua, saying, All that you command us we will do, and whithersoever you send us, we will go. 17 According as we hearkened to Moshe in all things, so will we hearken to you. Only Yehovah your Redeemer be with you, as He was with Moshe. 18 Whosoever that does rebel against your commandment, and will not hearken to your words in all that you command him, he shall be put to death. Only be strong and of a good courage.
They were ready to fulfill their word. This was a new generation of people. Unlike the First Generation, the Second Generation stood by their word. They pledged their allegiance to Yehoshua and were willing to execute anyone that stood in the way of Yehoshua’s success as a leader. They remained with Yehoshua until their release in Yehoshua 22:1-4.
1 Then Yehoshua called the Reuveni, and the Gadi, and the half tribe of Menashsheh, 2 and said to them, You have kept all that Moshe the servant of Yehovah commanded you, and have obeyed my voice in all that I commanded you. 3 You have not left your brethren these many days to this day, but have kept the charge of the commandment of Yehovah your Redeemer. 4 And now Yehovah your Redeemer has given rest to your brethren, as He promised them. Therefore now return you, and get you to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moshe the servant of Yehovah gave you on the other side Yarden.
After 6 years of war, Reuven, Gad and the half Tribe of Menashsheh had fulfilled their oath. They remained with the Children of Yisrael until all their brethren had found rest. This is an important concept for all of us. We should continue to help our brethren until they too obtain their inheritance in the land.
Faithful Before Others
Faithful Before Others
Devarim 3:21
21 And I commanded Yehoshua at that time, saying, Your eyes have seen all that Yehovah your God has done to these two kings. So shall Yehovah do to all the kingdoms whither you pass.
Moshe emphasized to Yehoshua the victory over Sichon and Og. More than likely, Yehoshua saw firsthand the destruction of these two kings. Yehoshua either led the Yisraeli into battle or oversaw the entire operation. Moshe was telling him to remember this, because what was done to these two will happen to all that Yehoshua comes in contact with. Yehoshua was to lead the Children of Yisrael into the land, the people would draw strength from Yehoshua. As Yehoshua remained strong in faith, it would help to strengthen the people through the years and the tough times ahead.
Devarim 3:22
22 You shall not fear them. For Yehovah your Redeemer He shall fight for you.
There were two things Yehoshua needed to learn from all this. First he had to stand in complete faith. Second of all, Yehovah would fight for Him. Both of these were required if Yehoshua was to be successful. He needed to have faith that was complete and his faith needed to be in Yehovah.
Yehoshua was from the First Generation; however, unlike the rest he stood in faith. He had proven to be loyal to Yehovah and Moshe, Bemidbar 14:5-9.
5 Then Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the Children of Yisrael. 6 And Yehoshua the son of Nun, and Kalev the son of Yefunne, of them that searched the land, rent their clothes. 7 And they spoke to all the congregation (edah) of the Children of Yisrael, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, an exceeding good land. 8 If Yehovah delight in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only rebel not you against Yehovah, neither fear you the people of the land; for they bread (lechem) for us. Their shadow (tzel) is departed from them, and Yehovah with us. Fear them not.
Things would start to be different now. Not only did He have to be faithful for himself, Yehoshua would have to be faithful before the entire nation. There would be no time he could let down his guard. He would have to be strong no matter what may be before him. The entire nation would draw strength from him. He was about to feel the full force of leadership for the rest of his life. There was no turning back, he could only go forward.
Much is Required
Much is Required
Devarim 3:23-25
23 And I besought Yehovah at that time, saying, 24 Lord Yehovah, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness, and Your mighty hand. For what God in heaven or in land, that can do according to Your works, and according to Your might? 25 I pray You, let me go over, and see the good land that beyond Yarden, that goodly mountain, and Levanon.
After the defeat of Sichon and Og, Moshe made a request to Yehovah. Moshe wanted to cross over with the Children of Yisrael. This is not recorded previously in Torah.
Moshe stated that Yehovah had begun to show him Yehovah’s greatness and mighty hand. Moshe had seen and spoken to Yehovah face to face, but now Moshe is seeing something even greater.
Most of us have barely seen Yehovah move in our lives. It will continue to be that way until we start to walk in a way that is worthy of Yehovah.
Devarim 3:26
26 But Yehovah was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me. And Yehovah said to me, Let it suffice you; speak no more to Me of this matter.
Moshe tells them that Yehovah was displeased with him. This is a result of the incident at the waters of Meribah. Some believe that Moshe’s mistake was hitting the rock twice rather than speaking to the rock. However, it seems that Moshe’s statement in Bemidbar 20:10 more than likely was the reason for his punishment.
10 And Moshe and Aharon gathered the congregation together before the rock (sela), and he said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock (sela)?
By stating this, Moshe and Aharon took credit for bringing the water out of the rock rather than praising Yehovah who was the source. They put themselves in the place of Yehovah. Their words are what caused the problem. Possibly, it was a moment of frustration and anger; however, that is just an excuse. Once an individual reaches a certain level of spiritual maturity, they are held to a higher standard as were Moshe and Aharon.
We ought to be mindful of that with each step of increasing spiritual maturity comes increasing responsibility.
Moshe stated that Yehovah was angry with him for the sake of the people. This is similar to stating that Yehovah was angry for the benefit of the people. What Moshe had done was described by Yehovah in Bemidbar 20:12.
12 And Yehovah spoke to Moshe and Aharon, Because you believed Me not, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Children of Yisrael, therefore you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Moshe did not sanctify Yehovah in the eyes of the people. Had Yehovah allowed Moshe to get away with this, it would have been similar to giving permission for the people to do even worse. This would have led to widespread disrespect of the people for Yehovah in a short time. As a leader, Moshe should not have ever crossed the line before the people.
Yehovah told Moshe not to bring this up anymore. For Moshe to continue to bring this up would be similar to Moshe excusing his sin. This is well beyond the intent of Yeshayahu 1:18.
18 Come now, and let us reason together, says Yehovah. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Moshe had crossed the line into blasphemy of God. This required a severe punishment as the leader of the people. Moshe did not bring this up again.
We need to learn that there are consequences to our actions. Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 11:30-32.
30 For this cause many weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
Depending upon our level of maturity and relationship to God, determines the severity of the consequences. As one matures, the smaller sins they formerly did will carry a much heavier penalty than before. Mainly because of Luke 12:47-48.
47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
Those who have been given much are held to a higher standard.
As for Moshe, Yehovah was willing to show Moshe what was ahead.
Sequence of Events
Sequence of Events
Devarim 3:27
27 Get you up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up your eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold with your eyes. For you shall not go over this Yarden.
Moshe was told to get to the top of Pisgah to view the land. This first occurred in Bemidbar 21:19-20.
19 And from Mattana to Nachaliel. And from Nachaliel to Bamot. 20 And from Bamot the valley, that in the country of Moav, to the top of Pisga, which looks toward Yeshiymon.
This was after the first recorded time that the leaders dug and produced water. After the water came forth, the people travel up ward. It is unknown if this is the time that Moshe is told to go to the top of Pisgah, what is being referred to in Devarim 3:27.
In Bemidbar 27:12-13, Moshe is told to go up to Mount Avarim.
12 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Get you up into this Mount Avarim, and see the land which I have given to the Children of Yisrael. 13 And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aharon your brother was gathered.
It appears that after Moshe ascended here, he will be gathered as Aharon was. This means that his life is coming to an end. However, there is quite a bit recorded after this and Moshe’s life does not actually end until Devarim 34:5.
5 So Moshe the servant of Yehovah died there in the land of Moav, according to the word of Yehovah.
Moshe’s death is recorded towards the end of the Torah. Just prior to this, Moshe ascends to see the land, Devarim 34:1-4.
1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moav to the mountain of Nevo, to the top of Pisga, that over against Yerecho. And Yehovah showed him all the land of Gilad, to Dan, 2 and all Naftali, and the land of Efrayim, and Menashshe, and all the land of Yehuda, to the utmost sea, 3 and the south, and the plain of the valley of Yerecho, the city of palm trees, to Tzoar. 4 And Yehovah said to him, This the land which I swore to Avraham, to Yitzchaq, and to Yaaqov, saying, I will give it to your seed. I have caused you to see with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.
The question that comes to mind is, did Moshe actually ascend Mount Avarim in Numbers 27? Or was Yehovah telling him where he would die?
Moshe’s ascension up Mount Avarim is also recorded in Devarim 32:48-52.
48 And Yehovah spoke to Moshes that selfsame day, saying, 49 Get you up into this mountain Avarim, mount Nevo, which in the land of Moav, that over against Yerecho; and behold the land of Kenaan, which I give to the Children of Yisrael for a possession. 50 And die in the mount where you go up, and be gathered to your people; as Aharon your brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered to his people. 51 Because you trespassed against Me among the Children of Yisrael at the waters of Merivas-Qadesh, in the wilderness of Tzin; because you sanctified Me not in the midst of the Children of Yisrael. 52 Yet you shall see the land before; but you shall not go there to the land which I give the Children of Yisrael.
This is basically what is recorded in Bemidbar 27. Mount Nevo is part of the Avarim mountain range. When Moshe recorded the travels later, it is recorded in Bemidbar 33:47-48.
47 And they removed from Almon-divlatayema, and pitched in the mountains of Avarim, before Nevo. 48 And they departed from the mountains of Avarim, and pitched in the plains of Moav by Yarden Yerecho.
From this passage, it appears that from Bemidbar 27 to the end of Devarim, Moshe and the Children of Yisrael are in one location. Moshe will speak to the Children of Yisrael during this time until his death in Devarim 34:5.
Now in Bemidbar 31:1-2.
1 And Yehovah spoke to Moshe, saying, 2 Avenge the Children of Yisrael of the Midyanim. Afterward shall you be gathered to your people.
After Moshe sends the warriors to avenge for Moav, he is to be gathered. Again there is a considerable amount recorded. It is hard to say what the time period between these various writings was. It seems either Yehovah prolonged the time or there was a particular sequence that is lost due to misunderstanding the chronological order of the chapters of Torah.
Later in Devarim 4:44-49.
44 And this the Torah which Moshe set before the Children of Yisrael. 45 These the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moshe spoke to the Children of Yisrael, after they came forth out of Mitzrayim, 46 on this side Yarden, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sichon king of the Emori, who dwelt at Cheshbon, whom Moshe and the Children of Yisrael smote, after they were come forth out of Mitzrayim. 47 And they possessed his land, and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Emori, which on this side Yarden toward the sunrising; 48 from Aroer, which by the bank of the river (nachal) Arnon, even to mount Sion, which Chermon, 49 And all the plain on this side Yarden eastward, even to the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.
It appears what is recorded in Devarim 1 through Devarim 33 occurred sometime in the later part of the recorded information of Bemidbar.
Strong and Good Courage
Strong and Good Courage
Devarim 3:28
28 But charge Yehoshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him. For he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.
Before Moshe is gathered to the people, he is to encourage Yehoshua and strengthen him. Moshe actually does this in Devarim 31:7-8.
7 And Moshe called to Yehoshua, and said to him in the sight of all Yisrael, Be strong and of a good courage. For you must go with this people to the land which Yehovah has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And Yehovah, He that does go before you; He will be with you, He will not fail you, neither forsake you. Fear not, neither be dismayed.
Yehovah will state similar words to Yehoshua after the death of Moshe. These will be recorded in the beginning of the Scroll of Yehoshua, Yehovah will tell Yehoshua in Yehoshua 1:9.
9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be you dismayed. For Yehovah your Redeemer with you whithersoever you go.
Yehovah assured Yehoshua that He would be with him. However, Yehoshua had to stand strong if this was to be true. He could not be like the First Generation, Yehoshua had to demonstrate belief in Yehovah. Then in Devarim 31:14-15.
14 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Behold, your days approach that you must die. call Yehoshua, and present yourselves in the Ohel Moed, that I may give him a charge. And Moshe and Yehoshua went, and presented themselves in the Ohel Moed. 15 And Yehovah appeared in the Ohel in a pillar of a cloud and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the Ohel.
Yehovah had Moshe and Yehoshua appear before Him at the door of the Ohel. Then in Devarim 31:23-26.
23 And He gave Yehoshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage. For you shall bring the Children of Yisrael into the land which I swore to them and I will be with you.
Again similar words would be stated to Yehoshua in Yehoshua 1. But even before any of this is recorded, Moshe requested that Yehovah place a shepherd over the congregation. Yehovah responded in Bemidbar 27:18-20.
18 And Yehovah said to Moshe, Take you Yehoshua the son of Nun, a man in whom the Spirit, and lay your hand upon him; 19 and set him before Elazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And you shall put of your honor upon him, that all the congregation of the Children of Yisrael may be obedient.
More than likely what occurred in Bemidbar 27 and Devarim 31 are same events. It is just that more details are in Devarim 31.
Devarim 3:29
29 So we abode in the valley (gay) over against Beth-peor.
At this point the Children of Yisrael had come to rest. Moshe will speak for the remainder of Devarim. Starting in Devarim 4, the discussion will change. Devarim 1 through Devarim 3 will be the basis for what is discussed next. This will be discussed in the Devarim 4 discussion.
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