Numbers 21

            In the wake of the death of Aaron, the Israelites now prepare to embark on their official campaign to conquer the promised land. But God doesn’t direct Moses to lead the people north from Mount Hor, which was the route the twelve spies took in the chapter 13. Though the text doesn’t say so specifically, we can logically infer this because of the events and travel log that is recorded in this chapter, as well as the fact that Moses will not set foot in the promised land as decreed by the LORD in the previous chapter. Instead, the Israelites will start marching east towards Edom and Moab. But, because the king of Edom refused to allow the Israelites to pass through his land, the nation is forced to make the long trek south around Edom before heading north towards the promised land.
 
            Verses 1-3: Sometime after the thirty days of mourning the death of Aaron, but before they break camp to begin their march east towards Edom and Moab, the Israelites are attacked by Arad, a Canaanite king whose people dwell in the land near Mount Hor. (v.1) (Numbers 33:40, Joshua 12:14, Judges 1:16) His attack is successful, and he succeeds in capturing several Israelites. Moses and the people pray to the LORD, vowing to Him that, if He will give Israel the victory in their counter attack against Arad, they “…will utterly destroy their cities.” (v.2) (Deuteronomy 2:34) The phrase in this verses is “…vowed a vow unto the LORD…”, which is the same phrase used in Genesis 28:20 and Judges 11:30. A vow to God is a serious and solemn matter, something not to be done lightly or impulsively. This indicates not only Israel’s desire to seek God’s leading, but also their faith in His ability to deliver the enemy into their hands.
            God honors His people’s request, giving them victory over Arad and his armies. (v.3) Israel lays waste to all of their cities and successfully rescues their people. Moses renames the place Hormah, which means “utter destruction”.
 
            Verses 4-9: Now the children of Israel begin their long march south around the border of Edom. (v.4) So soon after a taste of God’s blessing through the victory over Arad and his people, the Israelites are quick to fall back into grumbling and complaining against the Lord and Moses. The word “discouraged” in this verse refers to impatience. The people had just experienced a thrilling victory, but now they face a long trek around Edom before they will see another battle and conquest, and they become impatient with God and His timing. This leads to the usual complaint against Moses: “Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” (v.5) They go on to grumble about the lack of bread and water, but this time they also add a new grievance about the manna. (“…our soul loatheth this light bread.”)
            This ungratefulness is especially surprising given that the Israelites had just sacked the cities of Arad. Though the text doesn’t say so specifically, it’s seems a reasonable presumption that God would have allowed His people to take away food, supplies, and other such spoil before they burned those cities to the ground. On the other hand, God could have ordered Moses to destroy the cities completely, including all the wealth, food and other supplies, as part of their vow to Him for freeing the ones captured by Arad. That might be another reason the Israelites are so quick to complain about the manna. Whatever the case, the simple fact remains: they rebel against God yet again.
            Once more, God answers the people’s disobedience with swift and terrible judgment, this time in the form of deadly, fiery serpents that spread quickly throughout the camp. (v.6) Several Israelites are bitten and immediately die. (Deuteronomy 8:15, 1 Corinthians 10:9) This, of course, leads to contrition and repentance from the people who beseech Moses to intercede with God on their behalf. “…We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee…”. (v.7) (Leviticus 26:40, Numbers 11:2, Psalm 78:34, Isaiah 26:16, Hosea 5:15) It’s interesting to note here how quickly the Israelites recognize their sin and, rather than hardening their hearts in further rebellion (as they did following the judgment and punishment of Korah and his followers), the people acknowledge their sin and beg Moses to pray to the LORD for them. (Exodus 8:8, 1 Samuel 12:19, 1 Kings 13:6, Acts 8:24)
            In response to Moses’ intercession God instructs him to fashion a serpent from bronze and set it on a tall pole in the center of the camp. (v.8) (Isaiah 14:29, 30:6) Anyone that has been bitten and looks to the serpent will be healed. Jesus referenced this incident in His talk with Nicodemus, comparing it to His own forthcoming death on the cross. (John 3:14-15) Moses quickly obeys, and the people obey God’s command to look towards the bronze serpent to stay His wrath. (v.9) That sculpture remains in Israel’s possession well after their settlement in the promised land, eventually becoming a source of idolatry for the apostate nation of Judah. (2 Kings 18:4)
 
            Verses 10-20: The Israelites resume their march towards the promised land, and these verses give a brief travel itinerary, starting at Oboth (v.10) and ending with Pisgah (v.20). Verse 14 mentions “…the book of the wars of the Lord…”, which, according to my study Bible, is “…a collection of war songs dealing with Israel’s struggle for the possession of Canaan.” This, along with verse 15, suggests that there is another battle here that is won by Israel. It’s been a long time since their last victory song. (Exodus 15) “This book is similar to the “Book of Jashar” (Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18) but is not extant. These extrabiblical sources are not inspired but contain information that biblical writers used when composing their inspired texts, similar to what Luke did when he consulted material in the crafting of his gospel (Luke 1:1–4).” (The Moody Bible Commentary)
            God performs another miracle at Beer, providing water for the people from a well that is dug by the elders of Israel with their rods. (v.16-18) (Judges 9:21) This causes the Israelites to compose another song of joy, celebrating God’s provision and providence. (v.17-18) Verse 20 describes the mountain of Pigsah as providing a view of Jeshimon, a site that will come into play soon with the account of Balaam and the Moabite King Balak. (Numbers 23:28)
 
            Verses 21-31: As with Edom, Moses sends out messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, asking for safe passage of Israel through their land. (v.21-22) He promises the king that the Israelites will not depart from the king’s highway, nor will they eat of any of the crops or drink the water of their wells. Unfortunately for Sihon, he and his people are as stubborn as the Edomites, and he not only refuses Moses’ request but also gathers his armies and goes to war against Israel at Jahaz. (v.23) (Deuteronomy 29:7) God gives his chosen people the victory over the Amorites, and Israel takes possession of all their land from Arnon to Jabbok, all the way to the border of Ammon. (v.24) (Numbers 32:33, Deuteronomy 1:4, 2:32-33, 3:2, 6, 4:46, 31:4, Joshua 2:10, 9:10, 12:1-2, Judges 11:19-20, Nehemiah 9:22, Psalm 135:10-11, 136:18-20, Amos 2:9-10) The destruction of the Amorites is so complete that even Sihon’s capital city of Heshbon is captured and sacked. (v.25)
          Verses 27-30 is a song of victory that was sung by the Amorites when they conquered the Moabites. Now it’s used by the Israelites to taunt the Amorites. Some of the cities and places in these verses are mentioned throughout the OT: Moab, Ar, Chemosh, Dibon, and Medeba. (Numbers 32:3, 34, Deuteronomy 2:9, 18, Judges 11:24, 1 Kings 11:33, 2 Kings 23:13, Isaiah 15:1-2, Jeremiah 48:18, 22, 46) Most of those cross references highlight the idolatry of the Amorites and the Moabites, hence the reason they are brought up again by Isaiah and Jeremiah. Despite the victories of Israel over these heathen nations now, their failure to completely follow God’s command to utterly destroy these nations in the promised land will lead to Israel’s downfall and eventual judgment by God.
 
            Verses 32-35: The final section of this chapter details another victory for Israel, this time against Og, the king of Bashan. After capturing Jaazer (v.32) and driving out the Amorites dwelling there, Moses and the Israelites turn their sights on Bashan. (v.33) (Numbers 32:1, 35, Deuteronomy 3:1, 29:7, Jeremiah 48:32) God tells Moses not to be afraid “…for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land…”. (v.34) (Deuteronomy 3:2) The Israelites obey the word of the LORD, utterly destroying Og and all his people, thus taking possession of all his land. (v.35) (Deuteronomy 3:3-4, 29:7, Joshua 13:12)