We know the big picture: the Exodus, the Red Sea, the Ten Commandments. But what about the nitty-gritty, the day-to-day struggles and fears? Let’s zoom in on one particular moment, a moment of intense apprehension for Moses.
He was facing Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the prospect of war. Now, Sihon wasn't just any king; he was a giant. Can you imagine the dread Moses must have felt? According to Legends of the Jews, Moses was "sorely afraid."
But here's where the story takes a turn, a turn that reveals the unseen forces at play. God, in His infinite wisdom, didn't just leave Moses to fend for himself. He intervened, but not in the way you might expect. Instead of directly smiting Sihon, God took a more…strategic approach.
He put Sihon's and Og's guardian angels in chains. Angels! These celestial beings, tasked with protecting Sihon and his people, were now powerless. It's a fascinating glimpse into the cosmic battle being waged alongside the earthly one.
And then God spoke to Moses, saying, "Behold, I have begun to deliver up Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land." The assurance is powerful. It's not just about conquest; it's about inheritance, about claiming what is rightfully theirs.
Legends of the Jews, drawing from various Midrashic sources, emphasizes that once the angels of Sihon and his people had fallen, Moses had nothing more to fear. His enemies were, in essence, already defeated. The real battle had been won on a higher plane.
But God wasn’t done. He gave Moses another assurance, a sign for all the world to see. He promised that "He would begin to put the dread of him and the fear of him upon the peoples that are under the whole heaven," by bidding the sun to stand still during his war against Sihon. Imagine that. The sun, halting in its celestial journey, a clear and undeniable declaration that God battled for Moses.
So, what does this all mean? It's more than just a story about a war. It’s a reminder that even when we face seemingly insurmountable odds, there are forces working on our behalf, forces we can't always see. And perhaps, just perhaps, the biggest battles are fought not on the battlefield, but in the unseen realms, where angels clash and divine will unfolds. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what unseen battles are being fought for us, right now?