Look to God for victory Numbers 20 - 21

Look to God for victory BACKGROUND Numbers is an account of the time between the Exodus and the entry into the Promised Land We have seen times of rebellion against God, Moses and Aaron God has dealt with the rebellions and the rebels The Israelites are still in the wilderness and will be for some time to come However they are on the move

THEMES IN THESE CHAPTERS Look to God for victory THEMES IN THESE CHAPTERS Death – Miriam (20:1) and Aaron (20:22 - 29) – the old generation of leaders and people are passing away in the wilderness (as God had promised) Encounters and battles with other nations - (Edomites, Arad, Moabites, Amorites, Bashanites) .This is a foretaste of what is to come in the Promised Land Rebellion – both involving the issue of water. Important lessons from how God deals with both situations

DEATH AND REBELLION IN THE WILDERNESS Look to God for victory DEATH AND REBELLION IN THE WILDERNESS Miriam dies (20:1) – little is said about this in the text The cry for water and Moses’ response (20:2 – 13) – this is similar to the incident recorded in Exodus 17:1 - 7 but there are differences. Moses speaks to the people instead of to the rock and then strikes the rock, a disobedient act that would result in Moses being excluded from entering the Promised Land. Did Moses think that it was his action that would bring the miracle of water rather than the promise of God

DEATH AND REBELLION IN THE WILDERNESS Look to God for victory DEATH AND REBELLION IN THE WILDERNESS Aaron dies (20:22 - 29) – 30 days of mourning are called for. His leadership position is passed on to Eleazar The people rebel again (21:4 – 9) – familiar grumbling results in a plague of snakes in the camp God’s solution – look to a bronze snake and be healed. As they look in faith they will be saved Jesus took this story and applied it to Himself in John 3:4 – 5)

CONFLICTS WITH OTHER NATIONS Look to God for victory CONFLICTS WITH OTHER NATIONS Edom (20:14 - 21) – the Edomites deny the Israelites a safe passage through their territory despite two attempts to negotiate by Moses There is no battle against the Edomites because God does not command Moses to lead them into warfare here Arad (21:1 – 3)– here the Israelites vow to the Lord and He gives them victory over these Canaanites (unlike at Hormah 14:45)

Look to God for victory JOURNEY TO MOAB They camp in Amorite territory – the reason why so many battles will be fought with them later Praise songs at the well of Beer (21:16) a reminder of the Lord’s provision in the wilderness Two kings defeated (21:21 – 35) – God gives them victory over Sihon the king of the Amorites and Og the king of Bashan both of whom attacked them (a number of Psalms mention these victories) A song of victory after the battle of Heshbon against Sihon

Look to God for victory LESSONS FOR TODAY Disobedience is serious even for great people of faith (Miriam, Aaron, Moses) Sin is powerful and persistent, ignore it at our peril When trouble comes we look in faith to God to provide the answer and He will save God will give victory to an obedient people Don’t make an idol of something or someone who God has used for good (bronze snake 2 Kings 18:4)