But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
But Sihon, the king of Heshbon, would not let us pass through his territory. The LORD your God made his spirit stubborn and his heart hardened so that He could hand Sihon over to you, as you can see happened.
God hardened King Sihon's heart so that his refusal to let Israel pass would lead to his defeat and Israel's victory.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is recounting the Israelites' journey through the wilderness as they prepared to enter the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. The Israelites requested peaceful passage through the territory of Sihon, the Amorite king of Heshbon, but God hardened his heart to refuse them, setting the stage for Israel's military victory. This event illustrates God's sovereign control in fulfilling His promises to the nation of Israel.
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