(Og king of Bashan was the last of the Rephaites. His bed was decorated with iron and was more than nine cubits long and four cubits wide. It is still in Rabbah of the Ammonites.)
Deuteronomy 3:11 (NIV)
In the 20 years of this chapter-a-day blogging journey, my choice of which book we trek through has been typically haphazard. I don’t give it much thought, to be honest. As a right-brained creative, I tend to eschew straight lines and blueprints and embrace adventure of the unexpected. That said, I don’t think our current trek through Deuteronomy is coincidental. As we finished the book of Hebrews last week I heard the Spirit’s whisper in my soul. I need this.
This past year has been a season of transition for me. It’s still in process. We’ve come a long way, but we’re certainly not settled in the Promised Land. There are tasks and obstacles to be faced. Just yesterday I shared with Wendy how overwhelming it sometimes feels. Scary even. Like facing a giant.
This is a feeling with which Moses is very familiar.
Before there was Goliath there was Og, King of Bashan.
As Moses leads the next generation of Hebrew tribes to the Promised Land there are two major enemies standing in the way. The first one was Sihon, king of Heshbon who was rather easily defeated in yesterday’s chapter. The second enemy is a different story. For Moses and the Hebrews, Og, King of Bashan was their Goliath.
The text calls Og the last of the Rephaim. The Rephaim are a mysterious ancient people known for their unusual size. Archaeology has unearthed remains of ancient tribes with warriors who ranged from 6’8” to 7’2”. Today’s chapter records a parenthetical mention of Og’s iron bed which was 13 feet long. Og and the Rephaim were giants. and if I’m an ancient Hebrew whose average height ranged between 5’3” to 5’5” I imagine my knees would be knocking a bit at the prospect of that battle.
Beyond Og’s sheer size, he ruled over numerous fortified cities. He had a formidable army and a super-sized reputation. This was not an easy task that lay before Moses and the Hebrews. They had every reason to feel overwhelmed. Jewish commentators note that the first thing God says to Moses as the armies line up for battle is, “Do not be afraid.” This hints that even Moses who has miraculously and successfully led the Hebrews out of slavery and through the wilderness was even feeling overwhelmed by fear in that moment. Even great leaders quake.
Courage is not fearlessness but moving forward in spite of trembling knees.
The previous generation of Hebrews refused to enter the Promised Land out of fear of the “giants” who inhabited the land. Isn’t it interesting that God leads Moses and this next generation up against a giant before they even reach the Promised Land. It’s almost as if God is ensuring that there won’t be a repeat of last time. If His people experience victory over the giants outside the Promised Land, they won’t fear rumors of giants inside of it.
The Hebrews are successful. Og is defeated along with all his cities. His 13-foot iron bed becomes a museum piece for travelers passing through Rabbah of the Ammonites. The next generation of Hebrews experience a huge boost of faith in God’s promises.
In the quiet this morning, I find a much needed reminder for the waypoint on life’s road where I find myself. There are moments for all of us when we’re facing our own giants. Sometimes they are just rumors. Sometimes they are very, very real. In either case, God’s message never changes. It’s the same as He said to Moses.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ve got this. Trust me. Take courage. Move forward.”
And so, even with knees knocking in my spirit and despite the nagging feelings of being overwhelmed, I move forward into this another day.
If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.
