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From this plateau on the mountains of the Abarim, of which Pisgah and Nebo were
peaks, Israel hadits first view of the Land of Promise, and especially of that
mysterious Sea of Salt whose glitteringsurface and deathlike surroundings would
recall such solemn memories and warnings. At last then thegoal was in view! The
decisive battle between Sihon and Israel was fought almost within sight of theDead
Sea. The victory at Jahaz, in which Sihon was smitten "with the edge of the sword" -
that is,without quarter or sparing, - gave Israel possession of the whole country,
including Heshbon and "allthe daughters thereof" - or daughter-towns, - from the
Arnon to the upper Jabbok (the modern NahrAmman). The latter river formed the
boundary between the Arnorites and the Ammonites. Beyondthis the Arnorites had not
penetrated, because "the border of the children of Ammon was strong."(Numbers
21:24) And Israel also forbore to penetrate farther, not on the same ground as
theAmorites, but because of an express command of God. (Deuteronomy 2:19)
Leaving untouchedtherefore the country of Ammon, the Israelites next moved
northward, defeated Og, king of Bashan,and took possession of his territory also, and
of the mountains of Gilead. The whole country eastof the Jordan was now Israel's,
and the passage of that river could not be disputed.
Before actually entering upon their long-promised inheritance, some great lessons had,
indeed, yet tobe learned. An event would take place which would for ever mark the
relation between the kingdomof God and that of this world. The mission of Moses, the
servant of the Lord, must also come to anend, and the needful arrangements be made
for possessing and holding the land of Palestine. But allthese belong, strictly speaking,
to another period of Israel's history. When the camp was pitched inShittim, "on this
side Jordan by Jericho," waiting for the signal to cross the boundary line,
thewanderings of the children of Israel were really at an end.
(^)