But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for the LORD your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as appears this day -- Sihon refuses despite the peaceful overture. The causality is striking: 'the LORD hardened his spirit.' The hardening theme (familiar from the Exodus plagues) frames Sihon's refusal as the LORD's instrument. By refusing, Sihon sets himself up for defeat; the hardening accomplishes the divine purpose of giving Sihon into Israel's hands. The phrase 'as appears this day' suggests that Sihon's defeat is already history (from the narrator's perspective of the second address).

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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