Definition: And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Deuteronomy 31:4. It's a pretty powerful statement about God’s power and purpose. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God will actively use his power to completely destroy something – specifically, the Amorites – and then to completely obliterate the land they inhabited. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon…” - This refers to Sihon, a powerful king of the Amorites (a group of people in ancient Mesopotamia). Sihon was known for his large army and building impressive cities. “…and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.” – This means God will destroy Sihon’s kingdom and land completely. He'll take everything from that land – its resources, its people, its history - and obliterate it. What does this tell us about God? This verse speaks to a few key things: God's absolute power: It shows that God is not just powerful; he’s actively in control of his actions. He doesn’t just influence events – he does them. God’s judgment: It suggests that God is using his power to punish and remove something that is wrong or harmful. It's a demonstration of justice. A shift in focus: It also indicates a change in God's plan. He's moving away from focusing on building and establishing kingdoms (like Sihon’s) and instead choosing a different course – one of destruction and renewal. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a foreshadowing of the Exodus story. The Amorites were a group that was considered to be a threat to Israel, and God ultimately chose to deliver them through Moses and the establishment of the Israelites. In short, it’s a powerful statement about God's complete control and his willingness to use his power to completely erase something he deems evil. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Give you a related story or example?