17 and the plain, and the Jordan, and the border, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, the salt sea, under the springs of Pisgah, at the 'sun'-rising. 18 'And I command you, at that time, saying, Jehovah your God hath given to you this land to possess it; armed ye pass over before your brethren the sons of Israel, all the sons of might. 19 Only, your wives, and your infants, and your cattle—I have known that ye have much cattle—do dwell in your cities which I have given to you, 20 till that Jehovah give rest to your brethren like yourselves, and they also have possessed the land which Jehovah your God is giving to them beyond the Jordan, then ye have turned back each to his possession, which I have given to you.
21 'And Jehoshua I have commanded at that time, saying, Thine eyes are seeing all that which Jehovah your God hath done to these two kings—so doth Jehovah to all the kingdoms whither thou are passing over; 22 fear them not, for Jehovah your God, He is fighting for you.
23 'And I entreat for grace unto Jehovah, at that time, saying, 24 Lord Jehovah, Thou—Thou hast begun to shew Thy servant Thy greatness, and Thy strong hand; for who 'is' a God in the heavens or in earth who doth according to Thy works, and according to Thy might? 25 Let me pass over, I pray Thee, and see the good land which 'is' beyond the Jordan, this good hill-country, and Lebanon. 26 'And Jehovah sheweth himself wroth with me, for your sake, and hath not hearkened unto me, and Jehovah saith unto me, Enough for thee; add not to speak unto Me any more about this thing: 27 go up 'to' the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and see with thine eyes—for thou dost not pass over this Jordan;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:17-27
Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:12-20
(Read Deuteronomy 3:12-20)
This country was settled on the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh: see Numbers 32. Moses repeats the condition of the grant to which they agreed. When at rest, we should desire to see our brethren at rest too, and should be ready to do what we can towards it; for we are not born for ourselves, but are members one of another.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:21-29
(Read Deuteronomy 3:21-29)
Moses encouraged Joshua, who was to succeed him. Thus the aged and experienced in the service of God, should do all they can to strengthen the hands of those who are young, and setting out in religion. Consider what God has done, what God has promised. If God be for us, who can be against us, so as to prevail? We reproach our Leader if we follow him trembling. Moses prayed, that, if it were God's will, he might go before Israel, over Jordan into Canaan. We should never allow any desires in our hearts, which we cannot in faith offer up to God by prayer. God's answer to this prayer had a mixture of mercy and judgment. God sees it good to deny many things we desire. He may accept our prayers, yet not grant us the very things we pray for. It God does not by his providence give us what we desire, yet if by his grace he makes us content without, it comes to much the same. Let it suffice thee to have God for thy Father, and heaven for thy portion, though thou hast not every thing thou wouldst have in the world. God promised Moses a sight of Canaan from the top of Pisgah. Though he should not have the possession of it, he should have the prospect of it. Even great believers, in this present state, see heaven but at a distance. God provided him a successor. It is a comfort to the friends of the church of Christ, to see God's work likely to be carried on by others, when they are silent in the dust. And if we have the earnest and prospect of heaven, let these suffice us; let us submit to the Lord's will, and speak no more to Him of matters which he sees good to refuse us.