“From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:”
My Notes
What Does Deuteronomy 2:36 Mean?
Moses recounts the conquest of Sihon's territory — from Aroer on the Arnon River all the way to Gilead — and makes a sweeping declaration: "there was not one city too strong for us." The language is comprehensive. Not one city. Not a single fortified town proved too much when God was doing the delivering.
The phrase "the LORD our God delivered all unto us" is the interpretive key. Moses doesn't credit Israelite military strategy or superior numbers. He credits God. The victories weren't earned by Israel's strength; they were delivered by God's hand. The same people who were terrified of Canaanite cities forty years earlier are now watching those cities fall without exception.
The geography — Arnon to Gilead — represents the Transjordan territory that would become the inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. This is real land, with real cities, with real defensive walls. And none of it was too much. The gap between the spies' fear report and this verse's victory report is a picture of what faith changes: not the obstacles, but the outcome.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'fortified city' in your life feels too strong right now?
- 2.Looking back, can you identify a situation that seemed impossible but God delivered you through?
- 3.What changed between the spies' terrified report and this victorious retrospective?
- 4.How does a track record of God's faithfulness in the past fuel your courage for the present?
Devotional
"There was not one city too strong for us." Not one. The same people who looked at fortified cities and said, "We can't" are now looking back and saying, "There wasn't one we couldn't take."
The difference wasn't a new army or better weapons. It was the same people, forty years later, with one critical change: they believed God when he said go. That's it. The cities hadn't gotten smaller. The walls hadn't gotten shorter. Israel hadn't gotten stronger in any measurable human way. But they went, and God delivered.
This is the retrospective gift of obedience: looking back and seeing that the thing you were most afraid of wasn't as strong as the God who walked with you into it. Every city that seemed impossible before you tried is a testimony after you trusted.
What city in your life feels "too strong"? What walled obstacle has you convinced you can't advance? Moses' testimony from the far side of conquest says: I've seen God deliver every single one. Not some. All. The track record isn't partial; it's comprehensive. If God is going with you, not one city is too strong.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river Arnon.... Upon the border of Moab, and the principal city of it; see Jer…
Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon - Aroer stood on the north bank of the river, and was assigned Jos…
God having tried the self-denial of his people in forbidding them to meddle with the Moabites and Ammonites, and they…
From Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of Arnon The Naḥal "Arnon= Wâdy Môjeb, see above Deu 2:2. Edge, Heb. lip.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture