Numbers 21

The Israelites endure a demoralizing defeat. Then, they pray to God and experience a decisive victory. So decisive, in fact, that they name the place of their victory “Utter Destruction.”

But as they journey on, they suffer discouragement and cry out to God in complaint. God sends fiery serpents among them to poison them. Their salvation is to look at a serpent that Moses lifts up on a pole. Foreshadowing, anyone?

John 3:14-15 (WEB) “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

They journey on, mostly without incident. But then they get to Sihon. Since they look more like an invading army, they again ask for permission to take the main road through Amorite territory. Not only are they refused passage, but they are attacked! God gives them the victory, and verse 31 looks forward to their ultimate conquest and resettlement (as does verse 35). King Og of Bahan was next to try his luck, and he too was defeated!

Thought for the day: No matter what we face in life, we can face it with confidence and calm, because of Jesus Christ.

John 14:27 (WEB) “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.”