Deuteronomy 3

Notes

[Ver. 5. Argob is, as its name implies, a wild and rocky province of Bashan—a great natural fortress in fact, with tortuous ravines and jagged cliffs, inaccessible except to those acquainted with its passes. It is about 22 miles long by 14 wide. It is a plain, but its surface is elevated above the surrounding country about 30 feet; and is entirely composed of a stratum of basalt, which appears to have been emitted from pores in the ground. It is surrounded by the great plain or table-land of Bashan, which is famed for its richness. The surface of Argob, and of a rugged district which extends many miles to the south-east, is thickly studded with ancient cities; and it is a remarkable fact that the massive walls and houses in many of them remain standing; the streets, though long silent and deserted, are in some places complete as those of a modern town. The city gates and the doors and roofs of the houses are all of stone, and bear marks of the most remote antiquity. These are doubtless those 'threescore cities, . . . fenced with high walls, gates, and bars,' of which Moses here speaks. P.]

Ver. 11. [Rabbath of the children of Ammon. This statement has been employed by objectors as evidence that this book was not written by Moses; while it is charged with an extravagance that is alleged to render the narrative incredible. For neither allegation is there the least ground: (1) Metallic bedsteads have been common in all ages, and are so till this day: in warm countries they would be a real luxury, as preservatives from the annoyance of vermin. (2) That Moses should record the fact for posterity, though well known to his contemporaries, is a matter exemplified in the historical occurrences of every day; and as comparatively few of the Israelites could have actually seen it, to the rest it was therefore a most interesting description. (3) But as Rabbath was not yet taken, how could Moses tell where the bedstead was? Without our referring to the constancy of divine revelation, does the objector seriously mean to insinuate that no man can tell where any article of curiosity is unless he has actually been in the place? No! this would be too much even for infidelity to assert. (4) But then what shall we say to the dimensions of the bedstead? 'the cubit of a man,' about eighteen inches, would give for the bedstead 13½ feet in length and 6 in breadth; and allowing the bedstead to be, according to common computation, one-third longer than the body, Og would be about 9 feet in height. (5) To escape from the apparent difficulties of the narrative, Boothroyd and others pronounce the passage an interpolation; but for the there appears no sufficient authority; nor does the gigantic size of the monarch present any insuperable difficulty; for, remembering the reverence paid by a semi-barbarous people to gigantic height and strength, and allowing that Og might take advantage of this feeling, and do as other unusually tall men have done, elevate himself a few inches on his sandals, and we find a height rarely indeed attained, but still at times actually exemplified in Europe. C.]

Reflections.—Haughty sinners scorn to be warned by their neighbours' fall, and dare to provoke their own judgments, in which they perish. But, amidst the strongest enemies, all slavish fears are altogether groundless when we have the Lord on our side: he kindly proportions his encouragements to his people's fears, and the terrible appearances of their enemies. There is no might nor counsel against him. The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Created force is of little avail when God is the opposer. He can deal with giants as with grasshoppers.—It highly becomes those who by faith have entered into their spiritual rest, to look not on their own things, but every man also on the things of others; and to labour till their brethren, and especially Zion, enjoy rest along with them. Every experience of God's power and kindness ought to be improved as an antidote against slavish fears, and an encouragement to follow God in the hardest service: and every glimpse of God's glory quickens the desires after more abundant displays of it. Thankfulness for former mercies is an excellent mean to obtain what blessings we need; and contentment under disappointments is a good evidence that our prayers were not rejected, though we obtain not what we ask. One single slip in the conversation of a saint sometimes renders his most earnest supplications unsuccessful; for God makes his own faithful children the most distinguished examples of his righteous judgments. Often, for their own good, as well as for the good of others, he removes them by death in a considerate manner, when the continuance of their life seems to be most necessary; and yet readily he gratifies their innocent desires, as far as his own honour permits, whenever he finds them penitent. What a comfort is it for dying rulers, in church or state, to leave the flock of God in the hands of faithful successors! and it is pleasing to see aged saints on their death-beds encourage their younger brethren.