Numbers 21 (v21:1-9,33-35), The Battles/Victories Begin

Beginning with Edom in the previous chapter, we see Israel dealing with hostile nations as the forty years nears an end.  As usual, the biggest enemy is themselves.

·       21:1-4: Arad.  If you look at the map in the previous post, note the gold line (alternate route #1) heading north and then east from Kadesh Barnea.  Those who suggest this route find their strength in this story.  However, I also believe alternate route #3 can fit.  The location of Arad and Hormah on the map is pretty certain.  We have been to Tel Arad, and the location of Hormah can be determined by using the list of victories in Joshua 12:14.  What apparently happened is that the King of Arad came to where Israel was camped (whether around Kadesh Barnea or at a point north of Etzion Geber) and took some captives.  The Israelites then travelled to the area of Hormah and retrieved the captives and then destroyed Arad and the cities related to it.  The photo is of Tel Arad (background) and the National Park camping area in the foreground.  During Sukkot it is packed with Israeli families.

·       21:5-9: The Bronze Serpent.  This is another profound event because of the connection this has to the crucifixion of Christ (John 3:13-15).  The complaint is not simply “no food and water.” It also includes, our soul loathes this worthless bread, speaking of the manna God had provided for nearly 40 years at this point.  The fiery serpents may either refer to their appearance or the effect of their bite; both would fit what is known to live in the desert.  The fact that salvation came by looking to a fiery serpent on a pole indicates they are acknowledging their sin.  Christ took the judgment by being lifted up, and salvation comes to those who look to their Propitiation.

·       21:10-20: Arrival in Moab.  This record of the journey is interesting.  To me, Bible geography is always interesting since the story of the Bible involves God’s coming to earth.  On the map in post #19, where alternate route #2 meets the traditional route is where Israel completed circumventing Edom and came to the King’s Highway.  Then they went along the east side of Moab until they dropped down to the Plains of Moab, going between Moab and Ammon. 

o   The “Book of the Wars of the LORD” was apparently a record of battles in the wilderness times.  Notice the amazing thing in v16: God gives water and there is no grumbling. 

·       21:21-32: Battle with King Sihon.  What precipitated this battle was Sihon’s refusal to give Israel a path to the Jordan.  When Edom did this Israel just went around the land given to Edom by God.  But here, the king’s refusal is followed by his confronting Israel with his army.  There is no thought here, nor with the next battle against Og, that the land belongs to these people.  They are some of those that God was intending to remove from the land He was giving to Israel.  The land of Sihon is the land of Gilead, east of the Jordan, and became part of Israel.

·       21:33-35: Battle with King Og.  Og was king of Bashan which is what is called today the Golan Heights.  Again, the people were destroyed and the land taken by Israel.  This was the start of God’s fulfillment of His promise to Abraham, to give the land to his descendents.  It was also training for Israel’s men of war, preparing them for greater battles and greater victories to come.