From Mount Hor to Moab.
November 23, 2020
Commentary
Israel next met resistance from the king of Arad, but soundly defeated him. The next stop was Mount Hor where Aaron died. Then they traveled south and east around Oboth. As the Israelites marched toward the promised land, “What shall we eat?” and “What shall we drink?” seemed to be the major concerns of the people (Matt. 6:24-34), just as they are also the major concerns of people today. But on this occasion, the people didn’t complain. Instead they sang a song! As far as the record is concerned, this is the first time we find Israel singing since God delivered them from Egypt 40 years earlier (v. 16). The people rejoiced that God gave them the necessities of life, and they found joy in praising Him for His goodness.
Before they arrived at the plains of Moab, the Israelites fought and won two major battles. At first it was victory over the Amorites (vv. 21-35). The Amorites were located on the western shore of the Dead Sea. At one time they had ruled vast areas in Mesopotamia and Syria, but in Moses’ day, their territory was much smaller. In God’s eyes, they were a wicked people, ready to be judged (15:16) and Moses knew that the Lord had promised Israel victory over this evil nation (Ex. 23:23). However, Moses first asked permission to go through their land but was refused passage by Sihon (vv 22-23) who attacked Israel at Jahaz. After a “mop up” operation, over the Amorites, Israel turned its attention to Bashan, a very fertile region east of the Sea of Galilee and south of Mount Hermon. The Lord assured Moses that Israel would win this victory and they did (v. 34).
In their conquest of Canaan, Israel followed the pattern described in verses 32-35. Joshua would send out spies to get the lay of land. Then he would seek God’s special instructions for each attack, obey God’s orders by faith, and win the victory. The only two times he was defeated was when he didn’t follow this pattern (Joshua 7 and 9). The news of this victory spread to Jericho and brought great fear to the hearts of the inhabitants (Josh. 2:10).
Application
God wants to give me victory over my enemies (which usually involves sin rather than an outside foe) but first I must believe that He can help me. Then I must trust Him to help me and thirdly I must take the steps He shows me from His Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Numbers 21:10– 35 (NET)
10 The Israelites traveled on and camped in Oboth. 11 Then they traveled on from Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that is before Moab on the eastern side. 12 From there they moved on and camped in the valley of Zered. 13 From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends from the regions of the Amorites, for Arnon is the border of Moab, between Moab and the Amorites. 14 This is why it is said in the Book of the Wars of the Lord, “Waheb in Suphah and the wadis,
15 and the slope of the valleys that extends to the dwelling of Ar, and falls off at the border of Moab.”
16 And from there they traveled to Beer; that is the well where the Lord spoke to Moses, “Gather the people and I will give them water.” 17 Then Israel sang this song: “Spring up, O well, sing to it!
18 The well which the princes dug, which the leaders of the people opened with their scepters and their staffs.”
19 and from Mattanah to Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel to Bamoth; 20 and from Bamoth to the valley that is in the country of Moab, near the top of Pisgah, which overlooks the wastelands.
21 Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying,
22 “Let us pass through your land; we will not turn aside into the fields or into the vineyards, nor will we drink water from any well, but we will go along the King’s Highway until we pass your borders.” 23 But Sihon did not permit Israel to pass through his border; he gathered all his forces together and went out against Israel into the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. 24 But the Israelites defeated him in battle and took possession of his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, as far as the Ammonites, for the border of the Ammonites was strongly defended. 25 So Israel took all these cities; and Israel settled in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all its villages. 26 For Heshbon was the city of King Sihon of the Amorites. Now he had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken all his land from his control, as far as the Arnon. 27 That is why those who speak in proverbs say, “Come to Heshbon, let it be built. Let the city of Sihon be established!
28 For fire went out from Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon. It has consumed Ar of Moab and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
29 Woe to you, Moab. You are ruined, O people of Chemosh! He has made his sons fugitives, and his daughters the prisoners of King Sihon of the Amorites.
30 We have overpowered them; Heshbon has perished as far as Dibon. We have shattered them as far as Nophah, which reaches to Medeba.”
31 So the Israelites lived in the land of the Amorites. 32 Moses sent spies to reconnoiter Jazer, and they captured its villages and dispossessed the Amorites who were there.
33 Then they turned and went up by the road to Bashan. And King Og of Bashan and all his forces marched out against them to do battle at Edrei. 34 And the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand. You will do to him what you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.” 35 So they defeated Og, his sons, and all his people, until there were no survivors, and they possessed his land.
Illustration:
There are no victories at discount prices. – (General Dwight Eisenhower)