Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

3:18-22 Command to All Israelites to Fight. Two and a half tribes already possess their land, but they are commanded here to join the remaining tribes to conquer the land west of the Jordan and only then return to inhabit their Transjordanian land. Wives and children of all tribes are to stay in Transjordan and await the completed conquest.

3:18 men of valor. A military term, suggesting warriors or troops.

3:20 Though rest here conveys simply peace after warfare, it is a theologically rich term, suggesting the well-being of God's people in God's place under his rule. Thus the notion hints back to the seventh day of creation (cf. Ex. 20:11) and forward to a permanent rest (Ps. 95:7-11; Heb. 3:7-4:11). Cf. Deut. 12:10; 25:19; Josh. 1:13, 15; 21:44; 22:4; 23:1.

3:21-22 The conquests of Sihon and Og give the Israelites a model of the future conquest under Joshua. Unlike its experience 38 years previously at Kadesh, Israel is not to fear the enemy. If God fights, victory is assured (1:30, 42; see also 31:6, 8).

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