Justin Houtz

Deuteronomy 3, 2 Corinthians 7

DateVersionReading Plan
June 5, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Deuteronomy 3

Observation & Interpretation

Deut. 3:3-6 – The LORD had given King Og of Bashan over to the people for destruction. The king had sixty cities that were fortified with high walls, gates and bars.

Deut. 3:11 – King Og’s bed was nine cubits long and four cubits in breadth. “The iron bed was 13 feet long and six feet wide, presuming a standard cubit of approximately 18 inches. This point is meant to emphasize Og’s incredible height—he was a giant.” (FSB)

Deut. 3:18-20 – Moses addresses the Reubenites, Gadites and helf-tribe of Manasseh, that they were to go over armed before their brothers, leaving only their wives, little ones and livestock in the land that had been given them. “Though they have conquered and received their portion of the inheritance, the fighting men of the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh were expected to assist the remainder of their countrymen in their own struggle as they enter the land.” (FSB)

Deut. 3:23-29 – Moses asked the LORD that he be able to see the land that He had given them, but the the LORD rebuked him, telling him to not speak of this matter again and to go to the top of Pisgah to look at it with his eyes. Moses was not to go into the land but instead charge Joshua to lead the people to take possession of the land that he will see.

Application

The defeat of the fortified cities and the giant king Og speaks to the supreme power of the LORD and the strength He had granted His people. Their triumph was secured because the LORD was with them. In much the same way, believers will face trials of various kinds (many of seemingly insurmountable difficulty), but in Christ we have our ultimate victory. We proceed knowing that every battle is a means of refinement leading to the inheritance we have been graciously given in Christ.

2 Corinthians 7

Observation & Interpretation

2 Cor. 7:9 – Paul rejoiced because his letter grieved the Corinthian church into repenting. “Repentance, says Hodge, ‘is not merely a change of purpose, but includes a change of heart which leads to a turning from sin with grief and hatred thereof unto God.’” (BBC quoting Charles Hodge, 2 Corinthians, p. 182).

2 Cor. 7:10 – Paul provides a contrast between godly grief which produces a repentance that leads to salvation with worldly grief which produces death.

2 Cor. 7:12-13 – Paul was comforted that his letter “had the desired effect” (BBC).

2 Cor. 7:6-7, 13 – Multiple times in the chapter, Paul speaks of the comfort and joy Titus received from the Corinthian church. “All that he had said about the Corinthians was verified by the experience of Titus in their midst. Just as everything the apostle had ever said to the Corinthians was true, so his boasting to Titus had been found true also.” (BBC)

Application

Godly grief leads to repentance—a genuine turning of the heart—while worldly grief is a temporal sorrow for the consequences of sin. Nearly every time I think of this distinction, I am reminded of the worldly grief I expressed during the ending of my marriage. I was not sorrowful for my sin but over its results. Rather than true, godly contrition, my remorse was over the fact that things would not be returning to the way they once were. I am very thankful that the Lord allowed the marriage to dissolve completely that I may come to this understanding.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are with us and will never forsake us. Your grace abounds far more than we could ever perceive or imagine. What a gift of inheritance we have been given in Your Son that we may dwell forever in Your presence.

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