Numbers 21
-The king of Arad, a Canaanite, who lived in the Negev
(south country) heard that Israel was coming by way of Atharim. He fought
against Israel and took some of the population captive. At this point Israel
made a vow to the LORD to utterly destroy the Canaanites cities if they would
be delivered from this situation. The LORD complied with their request and gave
up the Canaanites into their hand with Israel utterly destroying them at the
place called Hormah (destruction). From there they ventured southward, and
around Edom, by the way of the Red Sea (Numbers 21:1-4). Once again the people
of Israel became impatient in the process and complained against Moses and God.
They said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?
For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food (Numbers
21:4b-5).” Notice the dichotomy of them saying they had no food, and then
stating that they loathed the actual provision from the LORD. They had food;
they just weren’t satisfied with the food God had given them. Ungrateful, despondent,
and miserable the people were given what they deserved from the LORD when He
sent fiery serpents among them with venomous biting. Many were dying, and they
came back humbly to Moses when they realized that they had made a huge mistake
with their dissatisfaction. They acknowledged their sin in speaking against the
LORD and Moses and asked that he intercede for them so that the serpents might
be removed. Moses did go before the LORD on their behalf, and God did give
mercy in a foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. He told Moses to make a fiery
serpent and set it on a standard (a pole). When the people would look to the
fixture, they would be saved and live. Moses made a bronze serpent and set it
on the standard between heaven and earth. When the stricken people looked to
the serpent on the standard, they were healed (Numbers 21:6-9).
-*Application* We still use this symbol in the medical
profession to indicate a hope for remedy. Jesus Christ of course is the
ultimate cure for our sinful natures. When we look to Him who was suspended on
the cross between heaven and earth for salvation, He freely gives life and hope
to all who believe in Him. God gives redemption and makes a way back into His
good graces!
-From that point, the sons of Israel moved on and camped in
Oboth. From there they ventured to Iveabarim, which was in the wilderness
opposite Moab and to the east. From there they set out and camped in Wadi
Zered. This was dry ravine except during rainy periods occasionally. Then, they
moved and camped further north on the other side of the Arnon, which was in the
wilderness that comes out of the border of the Amorites. So it was an area
between the Amorites and Moab. From there they continued to Beer, and the LORD
provided them with abundant water in that place causing them to sing, “Spring
up, O well! Sing to it! The well, which the leaders sank, which the nobles of
the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” And from that
wilderness they continued to Mattanah, then Nahaliel, then Bamoth, then to the
valley that is in the land of Moab, “at the top of Pisgah which overlooks the
wasteland (Numbers 21:10-20).”
-There, Israel sent messengers to Sihon, who was the king of
the Amorites, saying to him, “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn
off into field or vineyard; we will not drink water from wells. We will go by
the king’s highway until we have passed through your border (Numbers 21:21-22).”
The king would not let them come through, just like what had happened earlier
with Edom (Numbers 20:14-21). God was with His people though. As the people of
the Amorites assembled against Israel in the wilderness in a place called Jahaz
to fight, Israel struck them down with the edge of the sword and took
possession of the land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, and as far as the sons of
Ammon in Jazer. Israel took control of all these cities and lived in all the
cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon (the city of King Sihon), and in all her
villages. A proverb is written in the text with the mention of Chemosh, the
national god of Moab who they worshipped as a god of war. This false god was of
no help whatsoever when the true God came through in dominant fashion. Thus
Israel lived in the land of the Amorites, and they began a campaign to spy out
Jazer eventually capturing its villages and dispossessing the Amorites who were
there. Then they turned and went up further by the way of Bashan, and Og, their
king, went out with all his people to battle at Edrei. Here God prophetically
assures His children victory telling them not to fear this Og, king of Bashan,
for He had given him into their hand along with all the people of Bashan and
their land. God promised that he would be as the king of the Amorites, Sihon,
who lived at Heshbon. So they killed Og and his sons and all his people, until
there was literally no remnant left, and they possessed his land (Numbers 21:23-35).
-*Application* When God goes out to conquer His foes, they
are quickly dismantled. He is the One who can easily turn the tide of
situations in your life when you call upon Him in humility and dependency. Let
God fight your battles according to His will (1 Samuel 17:47, 1 John 5:14-15). Don’t
fret the enemy or be discouraged. Victory is around the corner if you remain in
Him and follow His lead. And remember, complaining and bad mouthing God does
absolutely no good for you. Repent and be healed.
Verse to Memorize:
Numbers 21:8
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