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Numbers 21

In Numbers 21, the Israelites continue their journey through the wilderness, facing challenges from hostile nations and moments of internal rebellion. God continues to demonstrate His power and faithfulness by granting victories over enemies and providing miraculous solutions to their problems. The chapter recounts battles, complaints, and God's provision, highlighting themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention.

Numbers 21:1-3 (NKJV)
1 The king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South, heard that Israel was coming on the road to Atharim. Then he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoners.
2 So Israel made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”
3 And the Lord listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of that place was called Hormah.

When the Canaanite king of Arad captured some Israelites, the people turned to God, vowing to destroy the Canaanite cities if He granted them victory. This shows their dependence on divine help for success. God honored their prayer, delivering the Canaanites into their hands, and the Israelites fulfilled their vow. The name Hormah, meaning "destruction," commemorates this victory, underscoring the importance of relying on God in battles.

Numbers 21:4 (NKJV)
4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.

As the Israelites traveled around Edom, they grew discouraged because of the difficult journey. Edom had refused them passage earlier, forcing them on a longer route. This growing frustration among the people reflects their impatience and weariness in their extended wilderness journey, a recurring theme of struggle in their relationship with God.

Numbers 21:5 (NKJV)
5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”

The Israelites' complaints reveal their lack of trust in God, accusing both God and Moses of bringing them out of Egypt to perish. Despite God's provision of manna, they referred to it with disdain, calling it "worthless bread." Their complaint about food and water indicates their ingratitude and forgetfulness of God's continual care.

Numbers 21:6 (NKJV)
6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

In response to their rebellion and complaints, God sent fiery serpents, which bit the people, leading to many deaths. This harsh punishment was a reminder of the seriousness of their continued rebellion and lack of faith. The fiery serpents symbolize the consequences of rejecting God's provision and protection.

Numbers 21:7 (NKJV)
7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

Realizing their sin and the consequences of their rebellion, the people repented and asked Moses to intercede for them. They acknowledged their wrongdoing, both against God and Moses, and sought divine mercy. Moses, acting as a mediator, prayed for their deliverance, showing his continued leadership and compassion for the people.

Numbers 21:8-9 (NKJV)
8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”
9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

In Numbers 21:8-9, God instructs Moses to make a bronze serpent and place it on a pole, and those bitten by serpents could look at it in faith and be healed. This event foreshadows Christ’s crucifixion, as mentioned in John 3:14-15. Just as the Israelites were saved by looking at the serpent, we are saved from the curse of the law by looking to Christ. When Christ bore the curse for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13), He experienced the separation from God that sin brings, which is why He cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, NKJV). At that moment, Christ was tempted to believe that His death could lead to eternal separation from the Father, yet He chose to follow God's will rather than His own. In doing so, He completely defeated sin in the flesh, securing salvation for those who accept and receive His life.

Numbers 21:10-11 (NKJV)
10 Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Oboth.
11 And they journeyed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, in the wilderness which is east of Moab, toward the sunrise.

These verses detail the Israelites’ continued journey, marking their encampments in Oboth and Ije Abarim. These locations are part of their progress toward the Promised Land, showing their steady movement despite the earlier challenges. The journey eastward also signifies their approach to the land of Moab.

Numbers 21:12-13 (NKJV)
12 From there they moved and camped in the Valley of Zered.
13 From there they moved and camped on the other side of the Arnon, which is in the wilderness that extends from the border of the Amorites; for the Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

The Israelites continued their journey through the wilderness, camping at various places. The mention of the Arnon River, which forms the boundary between Moab and the Amorites, shows their proximity to enemy territories. These verses indicate the strategic positioning of Israel as they prepare for future conflicts and conquests.

Numbers 21:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Therefore it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord: “Waheb in Suphah, The brooks of the Arnon,
15 And the slope of the brooks that reaches to the dwelling of Ar, And lies on the border of Moab.”

These verses refer to a poetic passage from the "Book of the Wars of the Lord," which records victories and significant events during Israel's wilderness journey. The reference to specific places like Waheb and the Arnon highlights God's involvement in their conquests and serves as a reminder of His faithfulness in their battles.

Numbers 21:16-18 (NKJV)
16 From there they went to Beer, which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.”
17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well! All of you sing to it—
18 The well the leaders sank, Dug by the nation’s nobles, By the lawgiver, with their staves.” And from the wilderness they went to Mattanah,

At Beer, the Lord provided water for the Israelites, and the people responded with a song of celebration and gratitude. The well symbolized God's provision, and the song reflected their appreciation for the life-giving water. This moment contrasts with their earlier complaints, showing their renewed trust in God's ability to meet their needs.

Numbers 21:19-20 (NKJV)
19 From Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,
20 and from Bamoth, in the valley that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah which looks down on the wasteland.

These verses trace the Israelites’ journey through several locations, ultimately reaching the top of Pisgah, where they could overlook the surrounding wasteland. This section shows their continuous movement toward the Promised Land, and the mention of Pisgah foreshadows significant events, as it is where Moses will later view the land before his death.

Numbers 21:21-22 (NKJV)
21 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
22 “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into fields or vineyards; we will not drink water from wells. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”

The Israelites, following proper protocol, sought permission from Sihon, king of the Amorites, to pass through his territory peacefully. They promised to stay on the main road, the King’s Highway, and not disturb the land or its resources, showing their desire for a peaceful passage without unnecessary conflict.

Numbers 21:23-24 (NKJV)
23 But Sihon would not allow Israel to pass through his territory. So Sihon gathered all his people together and went out against Israel in the wilderness, and he came to Jahaz and fought against Israel.
24 Then Israel defeated him with the edge of the sword, and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the people of Ammon; for the border of the people of Ammon was fortified.

Sihon rejected Israel’s peaceful request and attacked them instead. In response, Israel fought back and defeated the Amorites, taking control of their land. This victory extended Israel’s territory from the Arnon to the Jabbok, marking another instance of God’s favor in their conquests. The mention of Ammon’s fortified border highlights the strength of the neighboring nations.

Numbers 21:25-26 (NKJV)
25 So Israel took all these cities, and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon and in all its villages.
26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and had taken all his land from his hand as far as the Arnon.

After defeating Sihon, the Israelites took over his cities, including Heshbon, which had previously been taken from Moab. This victory not only provided Israel with land but also demonstrated their increasing dominance in the region. The mention of Sihon’s earlier conquests reinforces the strategic importance of these cities.

Numbers 21:27-30 (NKJV)
27 Therefore those who speak in proverbs say:
“Come to Heshbon, let it be built; Let the city of Sihon be repaired.
28 “For fire went out from Heshbon, A flame from the city of Sihon; It consumed Ar of Moab, The lords of the heights of the Arnon.
29 Woe to you, Moab! You have perished, O people of Chemosh! He has given his sons as fugitives, And his daughters into captivity, To Sihon king of the Amorites.
30 “But we have shot at them; Heshbon has perished as far as Dibon. Then we laid waste as far as Nophah, Which reaches to Medeba.”

These verses quote a poetic proverb celebrating the destruction of Moab by Sihon, and Israel’s eventual victory over the Amorites. The proverb recalls the history of Heshbon and the Amorites’ earlier conquest of Moab, but now Israel has taken over, demonstrating God’s power to reverse the fortunes of nations and give victory to His people.

Numbers 21:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
32 Then Moses sent to spy out Jazer; and they took its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.

After defeating Sihon and settling in the Amorite land, Israel continued their campaign by sending spies to Jazer. The Israelites captured the surrounding villages and expelled the remaining Amorites, further consolidating their control over the region. This verse emphasizes their military success and God's ongoing guidance.

Numbers 21:33-35 (NKJV)
33 And they turned and went up by the way to Bashan. So Og king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, with all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon.”
35 So they defeated him, his sons, and all his people, until there was no survivor left him; and they took possession of his land.

In the final part of the chapter, Israel faced King Og of Bashan. God reassured Moses not to fear, promising victory over Og as He had done with Sihon. Israel, empowered by God's promise, fought and utterly defeated Og and his people, taking possession of their land. This victory confirmed God’s continued faithfulness in leading His people toward the Promised Land.

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