Numbers 21 Israel's Journey to Moab

1 Arad Destroyed
When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them.

2 Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.”

3 The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.

4 The Bronze Snake
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;

5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.

7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”

9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

10 The Journey to Moab
The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth.

11 Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the desert that faces Moab toward the sunrise.

12 From there they moved on and camped in the Zered Valley.

13 They set out from there and camped alongside the Arnon, which is in the desert extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites.

14 That is why the Book of the Wars of the Lord says:
“. . . Waheb in Suphah and the ravines,
the Arnon

15 and the slopes of the ravines
that lead to the site of Ar
and lie along the border of Moab.”

16 From there they continued on to Beer, 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!
Sing about it,

18 about the well that the princes dug,
that the nobles of the people sank—
the nobles with scepters and staffs.”
Then they went from the desert to Mattanah,

19 from Mattanah to Nahaliel, from Nahaliel to Bamoth,

20 and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.

21 Defeat of Sihon and Og
Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites:

22 “Let us pass through your country. We will not turn aside into any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the king’s highway until we have passed through your territory.”

23 But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. He mustered his entire army and marched out into the desert against Israel. When he reached Jahaz, he fought with Israel.

24 Israel, however, put him to the sword and took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, but only as far as the Ammonites, because their border was fortified.

25 Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its surrounding settlements.

26 Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.

27 That is why the poets say:
“Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt;
let Sihon’s city be restored.

28 “Fire went out from Heshbon,
a blaze from the city of Sihon.
It consumed Ar of Moab,
the citizens of Arnon’s heights.

29 Woe to you, O Moab!
You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh!
He has given up his sons as fugitives
and his daughters as captives
to Sihon king of the Amorites.

30 “But we have overthrown them;
Heshbon is destroyed all the way to Dibon.
We have demolished them as far as Nophah,
which extends to Medeba.”

31 So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites.

32 After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there.

33 Then they turned and went up along the road toward Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei.

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”

35 So they struck him down, together with his sons and his whole army, leaving them no survivors. And they took possession of his land.

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Analysis of Numbers Chapter 21

Numbers Chapter 21 is one of the most eventful chapters in the Book of Numbers, encapsulating several pivotal moments in the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The chapter is a blend of historical narrative, divine intervention, human rebellion, and subsequent redemption. This analysis aims to delve deeply into the significance of each segment within this chapter, elucidating their meanings and implications in the broader context of the Israelites’ journey and their relationship with God.

Victory Over the Canaanites (Numbers 21:1-3)

The chapter begins with the Israelites’ confrontation with the Canaanite king of Arad. The Canaanites attacked the Israelites and took some of them captive. In response, the Israelites made a vow to the Lord that if He delivered these enemies into their hands, they would utterly destroy their cities. This action is known as the “ban” or herem in Hebrew, a form of dedicating something to total destruction for God’s sake. God honored their request, and they were victorious, leading to the naming of the place Hormah, meaning “destruction.”

This passage highlights several important themes:

Divine Intervention: The Israelites’ success is directly attributed to God’s intervention. Their victory reinforces the idea that God is actively involved in the fate of His chosen people.
Conditional Loyalty: The Israelites’ vow to God when faced with adversity reflects their awareness of their dependency on divine power, but it also suggests a somewhat transactional relationship where they seek God’s favor in exchange for their devotion, a recurring motif throughout their journey.
Faith and Obedience: This episode underscores the importance of faith and obedience. The Israelites made a vow and God responded, rewarding their faith with victory. This principle echoes throughout the biblical narrative.

The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4-9)

As the Israelites continued their journey, impatience and frustration set in. They spoke against God and Moses, complaining about the lack of food and water and expressing disgust at the manna, the heavenly bread provided by God. In response, God sent venomous snakes among them, which bit the people, resulting in many deaths. The Israelites acknowledged their sin and pleaded with Moses to intercede. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole; anyone who was bitten could look at the serpent and live.

This passage is rich in theological significance:

Rebellion and Consequence: The Israelites’ murmuring represents a recurring pattern of rebellion against divine provision. Their punishment through the venomous snakes symbolizes the direct consequences of their lack of faith and ingratitude.
Repentance and Redemption: The people’s acknowledgment of their sin and their request for Moses’ intercession underscore the importance of repentance in restoring their relationship with God. The act of looking at the bronze serpent as a means of healing symbolizes a return to faith and a dependence on divine grace for salvation.
Typology of Christ: The bronze serpent is explicitly referenced by Jesus in John 3:14-15 as a typology of His own crucifixion. Just as the serpent was lifted up and brought healing to those who looked upon it, Jesus would be lifted up on the cross to bring eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Journey to Moab and Conquest of Sihon and Og (Numbers 21:10-35)

The subsequent verses describe the Israelites’ journey from various locations, including Oboth, Iye Abarim in the wilderness, and finally to the region of Moab. During this period, the Israelites sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, requesting passage through his land. Sihon refused and attacked Israel. The Israelites, with God’s support, defeated Sihon and took possession of his land. They then turned their attention to Bashan, ruled by Og. Again, they were victorious with divine assistance, conquering his territory.

This section encompasses significant themes and implications:

Strategic Progress: The detailed itinerary of the Israelites’ journey signifies a divinely guided progression towards their ultimate goal, the Promised Land. Each location and subsequent victory underscores God’s continual guidance and support.
Divine Empowerment for Conquest: The defeat of Sihon and Og demonstrates God’s empowerment of the Israelites to overcome formidable adversaries. These victories were not merely military achievements but were seen as acts of divine intervention and blessing.
Expansion of Territory: The conquest of these territories served to expand the region allotted to the Israelites, playing a crucial role in the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham regarding the land his descendants would inherit.
Symbolic of God’s Faithfulness: The successes in these military campaigns are emblematic of God’s faithfulness to His promises. By leading the Israelites to victory, God reaffirms His covenant and commitment to His people.

Reflection on Israel’s Journey and Relationship with God

Numbers 21 captures a microcosm of the broader narrative of the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings and their dynamic relationship with God. Each episode within this chapter provides valuable insights into God’s character, human nature, and the principles underlying the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Several overarching themes are evident:

Dependence on God: The Israelites’ journey is marked by moments of dependence on God, whether in seeking victory over enemies or relief from divine punishment. This dependence is a fundamental aspect of their identity and relationship with God.
Faith Tested and Strengthened: The challenges and obstacles faced by the Israelites serve to test and ultimately strengthen their faith. Their responses to these tests, ranging from rebellion to repentance, highlight the fluctuating nature of human faith and the constant need for divine grace and forgiveness.
God’s Sovereignty and Mercy: Throughout the chapter, God’s sovereignty is evident. He intervenes directly in the affairs of the Israelites, administering both justice and mercy. His responses to their actions are both corrective and redemptive, illustrating a balance of justice and grace.
Typology and Foreshadowing: The events in Numbers 21, particularly the episode of the bronze serpent, serve as typological foreshadowings of New Testament revelations. The bronze serpent prefigures Christ’s crucifixion, linking the Old Testament narrative to the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan in the New Testament.

Conclusion

Numbers Chapter 21 stands out as a testament to the complex interplay between divine will and human agency. It narrates moments of divine triumph, human failure, and divine compassion, encapsulating the Israelites’ journey not only as a physical trek toward a geographical destination but also as a spiritual pilgrimage marked by continuous growth and learning.

This chapter encourages readers to reflect on their own journeys of faith, urging them to recognize the importance of trust, obedience, and repentance in their relationship with God. It also reinforces the assurance that God’s interventions, whether in the form of blessings or corrective measures, are ultimately aimed at guiding His people towards their promised inheritance and a deeper understanding of His nature and love.

In essence, Numbers 21 is a rich tapestry of divine narratives that continue to resonate with believers, offering timeless lessons on faith, resilience, and the transformative power of divine grace.

Understanding the Key Messages in Numbers 21: Insights and Explanation

Chapter 21 of Numbers recounts Israel's journey to Moab, their encounters with foreign kings, and the many complaints and rebellions against God. The chapter concludes with the victory over Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and the acquisition of their land.

Notes

This chapter highlights the importance of trust and obedience to God, despite difficult circumstances.