Numbers 21 Leaning
The people are finally learning. They are leaning into God instead of complaining. And He sees their needs and meets them. From water to warfare.
Serpents were a very effective tool that God used to discipline His people. I don’t know how long the serpents were a problem, but the people seem to have straightened up their attitudes after their encounter. They are still not perfect, or ready to enter the promised land, but they aren’t complaining either.
Today, we see God meet the needs of the people before they even ask. He KNEW they needed water, and He provided it. He KNEW they needed protection, and he provided that too. Let’s join the congregation as they make their way closer to the Promised Land.
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It has been two months since Moses heard a complaint out of the people. They have moved camp several times since the Lord brought the fiery serpents as punishment for their grumbling. And the people have not complained since the bronze serpent was lifted up.
The pillar cloud has stopped over the area of Beer. The people begin to make camp as soon it was obvious that it wasn’t going any further. Set up is a breeze by now.
After everyone is settled into their places, the Lord speaks to Moses.
“Gather the people together, so that I may give them water.” (Numbers 21:16b)
“Thank You Lord. I will do that right now.”
Moses went to Eleazar. He was emerging from the Tent of Meeting, having hung the inner curtain. As Moses approaches, Eleazar gives him a warm welcome.
“Good day, my lord Moses. How can I help you this fine day?”
“Your smile alone is a great help to me Eleazar, but I have a task for you as well. The Lord has called for me to gather the people together. He has a gift for them.”
Eleazar bowed his head and went to retrieve the two silver trumpets. He also tapped a second Levite to blow the second one with him.
Moses goes to the entrance of the Tabernacle to await the people. As soon as the trumpets sound, the people begin pouring in from every direction in the camp. When everyone has assembled, Moses addresses them.
“The Lord has a gift for you. Please follow me.”
The crowd parts as Moses makes his way through them and out beyond them. Everyone falls in line following him. They are curious as to what the Lord would be giving them. They are pretty sure it is not a punishment, as they have been working VERY hard at following ALL His statutes.
Moses stops at an open area with trees nearby. He then points to an old well and says, “Behold, your gift from the Lord.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a gush of water erupts from the depths of the well. It is a fountain from the deep that does not stop. It begins to fill the ground to the east of it and turn it into a place for the animals to drink. The fountain itself is still approachable, so that the people can draw water from it.
The people are overjoyed! They begin to dance and sing. “Spring up, O well!—Sing to it!—the well that the princes made, that the nobles of the people dug, with the scepter and with their staffs.” (Numbers 21:17b-18) They also make certain to offer thanks to the Lord for this wonderful gift. No need to complain to get the Lord’s attention. He knew their need before they even asked!
The people knew it was time to leave this place before the pillar of cloud even lifted this time. The well that had been flowing for days, stopped the geyser effect that morning. It is noticed by two women as they are gathering the mana for the day.
“Look! The water is not shooting into the air any longer.”
“I suppose that means that we are not going to need it anymore.”
“Why wouldn’t we need water?”
“Because we won’t be here. The Lord wouldn’t leave it for our enemies. He will be taking us away from here. You mark my words. We will leave today.”
The woman was correct. By midday, the pillar of cloud rises from above the Tabernacle.
When they see this, the people quickly pack their camp and break down the Tabernacle. They are on the move again within two hours.
Camp this time is on the boundary between Moab and the Amorites. “Make camp, but be prepared to leave at any moment” Moses tells the people.
Moses calls Joshua and Caleb to his tent. “Take this message to King Sihon of the Amorites. ‘Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.’ (Numbers 21:22)”
Joshua and Caleb hurry on their mission. It is a short journey to Heshbon, the seat of power of the Amorites. When they arrive, they are ushered into the king’s presence without any trouble. The people knew where they came from.
“What is it you want from me” the king asks with annoyance in his tone.
“We are from the people of Israel. We are camped at your border. We have a request to present to you. ‘Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will not drink the water of a well. We will go by the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.’”
King Sihon’s face becomes red and his eyes grow twice the size.
“You are here as spies! You are lying as to your intentions. If we were to let you pass through our land, you would turn an attack us as soon as you knew our strengths and weaknesses. You will NOT pass through our land!
Joshua and Caleb bow respectfully and turn to leave. The king shouts to their retreating backs; “Not one foot shall cross our borders!”
As soon as the two men are on their way back, King Sihon calls for his commander of the army.
“Gather ALL the troops together. We are going out to fight against the hoard camped on our borders. If we don’t stop them where they are, they will attack us. We MUST destroy every last man among them, if we are to survive!”
Little time passes before the whole of the Amorite army are assembled and on the move. Joshua and Caleb hear their approaching feet behind them. They quicken their pace so they can arrive ahead of the advancing army and warn their forces.
The Amorite army meets a well-prepared Israelite army. The Lord fights with Israel. He strengthens heir hand holding the sword and spear. He increases their accuracy of their strikes, and gives them quickness of feet to avoid opposing blows. And he fills their hearts with the desire for victory over their enemies.
No matter how hard the men of the Amorites fight, they lose ground and fall to the sword. When the battle ends, there is not an Amorite left alive. Israel’s swords fall silent. Her shields are lowered. The people look around and find themselves standing within the city of Heshbon stands around them. Empty of its occupants. At least empty of the ‘living’ occupants.
To the victor goes the spoils! The city and all its villages are empty, so the people of Israel move into them. The camp is still set up, with the Tabernacle in the midst of it. There is rest for a time.
After about a month, Moses sends out spies to Jazer, which is nearby. The spies alone are able to take the village and send the Amorites living there running for cover.
Finally, it’s time to continue their journey to the Promised Land. The people are refreshed from by the rest they have enjoyed. As they begin their march, Og, the king of Bashan sees their approach. He is determined NOT to become a footnote in history like King Sihon did.
Og sends out ALL his people to fight against Israel. It is a HUGE contingent of fighting men. Twice the size of those Israel defeated of the Amorites. Before Israel had raised even one sword or shield in defense, the Lord spoke to Moses.
“Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.” (Numbers 21:34)
Moses called out to the people as the two armies advanced on one another. “Hear the word of the Lord. ‘Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and his land. And you shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’”
The Lord’s words bolstered the men of Israel and they roared in anticipation of the victory to come. The women and children were moved to the back of the procession as the fighting men moved forward with purpose. Swords and bucklers clashed and rang out as men grunted with exertion. Cries of those falling in battle reverberated through the valley, chilling even the sturdiest of observers.
Within hours, ALL of the men of Bashan lay dead at Israel’s feet. The king and all his sons were included in this number. Israel had captured another territory by the hand of the Lord.
The people rejoiced long into the night as they gathered the spoils of the city. Israel would enjoy another brief rest in the city of Bashon. But it was still not their destination.
(to be continued)
Israel did not provoke these battles, but neither did they run from them. The Lord gave them the victory. And the strength to face even more opposition. I wonder if the people thought about staying put. We know that 2 ½ tribes would eventually stay in the area that was deposed by Israel during these battles and more. God was already clearing the way for the second generation to enter into His rest.
Father God, You know how much I hate conflict. I don’t think I would have made it during this time in history. I know that there are many physical battles still to come, before Jesus’ return. I pray that I don’t have to be part of them, or watch them. I’m holding fast to the rapture happening before ‘all hell breaks loose’.
I don’t want my children or grandchildren to have to face the dark days ahead either Lord. But I can do NOTHING to save them from this, other than pray for them and lay them at Your feet. Do whatever it takes Lord to bring them back to You.
