Deuteronomy 3 • The Higher Standard

Review & Overview

1. The Introduction & Title

Deuteronomy, is known as Moses’ “Upper Desert Discourse,” which consists of a series of farewell messages.

Moses is 120 years old as he addresses the new generation, those who survived the forty years of wilderness wandering, those who are destined to possess the Land of Promise.

Moses reminds this new generation to learn from the sad example of their parents and obey God.

2. The Theme & Purpose

“Beware lest you forget” is a key theme in Deuteronomy.

Moses emphasizes the danger of forgetfulness because it leads to arrogance and disobedience. They must remember two things:

(1) when they prosper, it is God who has caused it, and

(2) If and when they disobey God, He will discipline them as He did when the previous generation failed to believe Him.

Deuteronomy is a call to obedience as a condition to blessing.

So what we have here is a contract between God and His people.

Israel is a vassal to God, where Israel is required to be loyal and obey God's laws, worship Him alone, and live according to the terms of the covenant or contract.

In return, God promises protection, blessing, and guidance.

3. The Outline

1. Moses’ First Discourse: The History of Israel Ch. 1:1-4:43

Here Moses recounts the history of Israel, especially God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and their journey through the wilderness.

2. Moses’ Second Discourse: The Stipulations for Israel Ch. 4:44-26

All the laws and commandments are reiterated and clarified by God to Israel

3. Moses’s Third Discourse: The Future of Israel Ch. 27-34

In this section we have a detailed account of all the the blessings and curses that would follow Israel's obedience or disobedience to the covenant.

4. Current Study’s Overview

That brings us to Ch. 3 and our portion of today’s scripture. Where we will continue to hear from Moses as he give his first message his first discourse.

The Title of Today’s Message is:

Because as you’ll see in a second, Israel is standing on the brink of the Promised Land. We are going to see the miraculous defeat of King Og, a giant among men,

to the dividing of the land east of the Jordan

and Moses' heartfelt plea to enter the land,

We are going to see that these moments reveal powerful truths about God's faithfulness, the significance of obedience, and the weight of leadership.

Chapter 3 challenges us to trust God's strength in overcoming our giants, remain faithful to His promises, and submit to His will, even when it means accepting difficult answers.

If you are taking notes we want to look at 4 points in dealing with Moses’ discourse

"Defeat the Giant, Stay Reliant" (Defeating Og)"Claim the Land, Take a Stand" (Dividing the Land)"Desire Denied, Trust in God's Guide" (Moses' Desire to Enter the Land)"Misstep and Fall, Heed God’s Call" (Denial of Moses Due to Disobedience)

1. Defeat the Giant, Stay Reliant Vs. 1-11

1.1 Vs. 1

Bashan: a fertile area on the East side of the Sea of Galilee going north up to Mt. Hermon…

This area would secure their right flank from attack while waiting to enter the Promised Land…

1.2 Vs. 2

Though the army of Og was large & well trained & you’ve been in the wilderness for 40 years…

Do Not Fear… I have delivered them… I have dealt with them… I have conquer them… notice the Lord talks about this upcoming battle in the past tense…

APPLICATION: Great encouragement for us… Do Not Fear the enemy…

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Romans 8:37 NKJV

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Notice, it doesn’t say you WILL be more than conquerors… it says YOU are!

1.3 Vs. 3-11

So here we read about the defeat of King Og of Bashan, but it’s important to recognize that Og was not just any king—he was one of the last of the Rephaim, a race of giants that Israel feared.

His immense size is demonstrated by the detail of his bed being 13 feet long and 6 feet wide, a subtle but clear indicator of his stature and the fear he commanded.

So Why is this significant? This victory over Og was more than just the defeat of another Amorite king; it represented the overcoming of one of Israel’s greatest perceived threats.

Og was the last remnant of a fearsome race, the kind of enemy that had previously caused Israel to shrink back in fear when they first approached the Promised Land (Numbers 13:32-33).

And so the defeat of such a giant signaled a turning point for Israel, showing that no enemy—no matter how great or terrifying—could stand before the Lord's might.

You see, This victory sets a precedent for the battles Israel would face in the near future.

As they were about to cross the Jordan and encounter even more fortified cities and powerful enemies, the defeat of Og served as a powerful reminder: God had already given them victory over giants, and He would do so again.

Application: Just as God gave Israel victory over Og, a giant king, He is able to give us victory over the "giants" in our own lives.

These giants may come in the form of overwhelming circumstances, daunting challenges, or persistent fears that seem impossible to overcome.

Yet, as we see here, no enemy is too great when God is on our side. The battle may look impossible from a human perspective, but we are reminded that God's power is not bound by our limitations.

Personal Challenge: Ask yourself today, “What giant am I facing that seems too big to overcome?”

It may be a difficult relationship, a financial burden, or a health challenge.

Whatever it is, the victory over Og stands as a testimony to us: God has the power to defeat even the largest and most intimidating of enemies. Let this truth encourage you to trust in His strength rather than your own.

SIDE NOTE: At the beginning of Vs. 11 it says, ”for only Og king Remained of the remnant of the giants" indicates that Og was the last known survivor of this ancient group, the Rephaim. This doesn’t mean that he was left alive after the battle; rather, before his defeat, he had been the last of this race still alive.

2. Claim the Land, Take a Stand Vs. 12-22

2.1 Vs. 12-13

This is the land east of the Jordan that these 2 ½ tribes wanted back in Num.32:.

When Moses told them in Num.32:23 be sure your sin will find you out…

Numbers 32:23 NKJV

23 But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.

In Numbers 32, Moses warns the tribes of Reuben and Gad, who wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan River rather than crossing into the Promised Land.

And if they fail to help the other Israelites conquer the land west of the Jordan, they would be sinning against the Lord, and their sin would "find them out."

Which means that if they broke their promise to fight alongside their brethren, they would face consequences from God.

Here in Vs. 12-13 we get a confirmation that these tribes kept their word and received the land east of the Jordan because they agreed to help their fellow Israelites in battle, thus avoiding the sin that Moses warned about in Numbers 32.

APPLICATION: Which highlights the importance of keeping commitments to God and others, and failing to do so brings consequences.

2.2 Vs. 14-22

The Lord will fight the battle for you, you don’t need to be afraid…

And King David understood this: in the Valley of Elah as he stood before Goliath and said…

1 Samuel 17:47 NKJV

47 Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

APPLICATION: How many times do we take matters into our own hands… rather than doing what God told Moses in Ex.14:13 stand still…

Exodus 14:13 NKJV

13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

ILLUSTRATION: I hear a story about a man namedJim. Jim was in the middle of building his dream house—a house he had planned and saved for years.

He hired contractors, picked out the perfect materials, and even spent hours looking over the blueprints, making sure every detail was exactly as he wanted.

Things started off smoothly, but soon the project hit a snag.

ILLUSTRATION: The foundation didn’t set right, the weather turned bad, and materials were delayed. Jim began to panic.

The delays kept piling up, and every day the house looked farther from completion.

ILLUSTRATION: In his frustration, Jim decided to take matters into his own hands. He showed up at the worksite, rolled up his sleeves, and began trying to fix everything himself.

He ordered new supplies, tried to pour concrete, and even attempted to fix some of the electrical wiring.

But the problem was that Jim wasn’t a builder, and the more he meddled, the worse things got.

The house was now behind schedule and way over budget. In his attempt to control the situation, Jim had only made it worse.

ILLUSTRATION: Exhausted and discouraged, Jim finally sat down one evening and prayed. He asked God to take over because he couldn’t do it anymore.

He realized that he needed to trust the professionals he had hired and, more importantly, trust in God’s timing.

As Jim began to let go and step back, things slowly began to turn around.

The weather improved, materials arrived on time, and the contractors got back on track.

Within a few months, Jim’s house was completed—beautifully finished, just as he had envisioned it.

ILLUSTRATION: Jim later said, “I realized that by trying to control everything myself, I only created more problems. But when I stepped back and trusted God to work things out, everything fell into place.”

APPLICATION: This story is a powerful reminder for us as. How often do we, like Jim, try to take control of situations instead of trusting God?

We think we can fix it all in our own strength, but sometimes, God asks us to do our part and then step back and let Him fight our battles.

Just like Jim had to trust the builders, we must trust the ultimate Builder—God.

He knows the perfect timing, and He sees the full picture.

When we stop striving and allow God to take control, His provision and timing are always better than anything we could achieve on our own.

3. Desire Denied, Trust in God’s Guide Vs. 23-25

Here we see Moses pleading with God to allow him to enter the Promised Land.

His desire was simple yet profound: after leading the people of Israel for 40 years, he longed to step into the land he had journeyed toward for so long.

The Hebrew grammar indicates that Moses repeatedly asked God with this request, indicating a deep yearning in his heart.

However, despite Moses' persistence in prayer, God’s answer was no.

And this is a pivotal moment in the story, revealing much about Moses’ character and God’s sovereign will.

Moses, though a great leader and servant of God, was not immune to the consequences of his actions (Numbers 20:12).

Yet, what stands out here is Moses' response. He doesn’t grow bitter or rebellious when God denies his request. Instead, he humbly submits to God’s plan and turns his focus toward preparing Joshua to take up the mantle of leadership.

Moses’ experience here parallels other stories in the Bible who also had godly desires but were denied by God.

Look at King David, who longed to build the temple for God.

In 2 Samuel 7, David shares his desire, but God tells him that it will be his son, Solomon, who will fulfill this task.

David doesn’t resist; instead, he humbly accepts God’s will and helps Solomon prepare for the work ahead.

In a Similar way, Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, pleads with God three times to remove a physical affliction, but God’s response is no.

Instead, Paul is told, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."

Both David and Paul exemplify the same perseverance and humility in the face of unmet desires that Moses displayed.

APPLICATION: The lesson here is crazy!: even when our prayers seem good and righteous, God’s answer may still be no.

This doesn’t mean we lack faith; rather, it is a reminder that God’s perspective is far greater than ours, and His plans often extend beyond what we can see.

Moses shows us that the true test of faith isn’t just in asking but in trusting God’s answer, even when it isn’t what we hoped for.

REFLECTION: Reflect on this, Ask yourself, "What desires have I brought before God that He has not fulfilled?"

It’s easy to grow frustrated or discouraged when we feel like our prayers have gone unanswered.

But like Moses, we are called to trust in God’s sovereignty and submit to His perfect will.

There may be times when we won’t see the fulfillment of our desires in this lifetime, but we must rest assured that God is still working out His purposes for our good and His glory.

CHALLENGE: Let Moses' story encourage you to persist in prayer but also to trust God’s will more than your own desires.

Like Moses, David, and Paul, we should all find peace in knowing that God’s plans are always better, even when they don’t align with our expectations. UNDERSTAND THIS…

True faith is found not only in ASKING but in ACCEPTING God’s answer with humility and obedience.

4. Misstep and Fall, Heed God’s Call Vs. 26-29

1. God was angry with Moses not only for the sake of the people who lacked faith, Heb.3:19… But because

Moses misrepresented God in Num.20:7 God said to speak to the Rock, Moses smote the Rock.

Numbers 20:7–13 “7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” 9 So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” 13 This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them.”

In 1 Cor.10:4 that Rock is Jesus Christ and He only needed to be smitten once for all, Heb.10:10.

1 Corinthians 10:4 NKJV

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.

Hebrews 10:10 NKJV

10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

So here, we see one of the most important leadership lessons in the Bible.

Moses, after faithfully leading the people of Israel for 40 years, is denied entrance into the Promised Land because of his earlier disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:7-12).

This decision seems severe to some—after all, Moses had been a faithful servant of God, interceding for the people and guiding them through the wilderness.

However, this moment underscores an essential truth: leaders are held to a higher standard of accountability.

Why are Leaders Held to a Higher Standard? Leadership, especially spiritual leadership, comes with great responsibility.

In Moses' case, God’s command at Meribah was clear: Moses was to speak to the rock, but in his frustration, he struck the rock twice.

This act of disobedience wasn’t just a personal failure—it misrepresented God’s holiness and power to the people.

As a leader, Moses was not just accountable for his own actions; he was responsible for modeling trust in God to the entire nation of Israel.

Leaders stand as representatives of God’s character and His instructions, so their actions have far-reaching implications.

When leaders fail, it can cause others to stumble and can undermine the very message they’ve been called to communicate. This is why in…

James 3:1 NKJV

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Just as Moses faced a stricter judgment for his actions, leaders today are held to a higher standard because their influence shapes the faith and actions of others. So Understand this…

The greater the influence, the greater the responsibility before God.

Application: For those in leadership roles—whether pastors, teachers, parents, or ministry leaders—this passage serves as both a warning and an encouragement.

Leadership is not to be taken lightly. Every word and action must reflect the character and instructions of God.

It’s a reminder that leaders must be vigilant, not letting frustration or fatigue cause them to act in ways that misrepresent the Lord.

APPLICATION: At the same time, this story offers a powerful example of humility and grace.

Even though Moses was denied entrance into the Promised Land, he didn’t resist God’s decision.

Instead, he obediently accepted his role in raising up Joshua to lead in his place. This illustrates a key quality of godly leadership: the ability to accept correction, submit to God’s will, and invest in the next generation of leaders.

In conclusion, the journey of Israel through the wilderness and their victories over enemies like Og, their obedience in dividing the land, and the leadership of Moses all point to important spiritual truths that resonate with us today.

The defeat of Og serves as a reminder that no enemy, no matter how intimidating, can stand before the power of God.

The distribution of land highlights the importance of keeping commitments to God and to one another,

and the story of Moses reveals the weighty responsibility of leadership, calling us to trust in God's timing and provision rather than taking matters into our own hands.

As Moses humbly accepted God's will, even when denied entry into the Promised Land, we are challenged to do the same in our lives—

to persist in prayer, yet trust God’s answers, even when they don't align with our desires.

True faith is not only found in asking but in accepting with humility and obedience.

May we, like Moses, learn to trust God's sovereignty, invest in others, and honor Him in all that we do.

ENDING……