Edom
Num 20:14 And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us:
Israel was brother to Edom which was the tribe of Esau who sold his birthright to Jacob (Israel) for a bowl of stew. Jacob had tricked his nearly blind father into thinking that he was Esau, by wearing a deerskin on his arm. Esau was a hairy man, a hunter. In so doing Isaac gave the family blessing to Jacob who later would be named Israel. The two men reconciled, later in life. Now, the descendants of Easau, the Edomites were hostile to Israel. Jacob and Easau were non identical twins.
Gen 25:21 And Isaac entreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
Gen 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the LORD.
Gen 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.
Gen 25:24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.
Gen 25:25 And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.
Gen 25:26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
Gen 25:27 And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.
Gen 25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
Gen 25:29 And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
Gen 25:30 And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
Gen 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
Gen 25:32 And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
Gen 25:33 And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
Gen 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
Num 20:15 How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers:
Num 20:16 And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border:
Moses explained through a messenger what had happened in Egypt and the miraculous power of the LORD in delivering them. We sometimes speak to unsaved family about our miraculous salvation and the miracles of God in our lives, but like the Edomites, they often are unmoved and sometimes hostile. The best family, is the family of God; all one faith and one Spirit.
Num 20:17 Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
They were looking for a shortcut.
Num 20:18 And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.
Num 20:19 And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.
Num 20:20 And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.
Num 20:21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
They refused access and they were hostile to their kinsman. They would come under the curse of God. For anyone who curses God's people, Israel, God would curse that nation.
When family and friends fail us, remember that God is our avenger, we forgive and we let God handle the problem.
Aaron Replaced
Num 20:22 And the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, journeyed from Kadesh, and came unto mount Hor.
This was after Edom refused to allow them to pass through their land.
Num 20:23 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in mount Hor, by the coast of the land of Edom, saying,
Num 20:24 Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
What? Aaron shall be gathered with his people? You mean he will die? Because he also rebelled with Moses at the water of Meribah. Moses had struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it, to bring forth water. The rock was God's symbol of Jesus, who was stricken once for sins. The LORD allowed Aaron to continue after making the golden calf for the people to worship. He was allowed to go unpunished when he and Miriam rebelled against Moses. Miriam paid the price, even going to the grave, after her cleansing. But, this one offense was very important to the LORD. Jesus is his beloved, Moses was not allowed to continue into the promise land for this transgression, and now Aaron would be taken by the angels to his people, his ancestors in Paradise.
Num 20:25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up unto mount Hor:
Num 20:26 And strip Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son: and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there.
He was stripped of his authority before death and the garments were given to Eleazar, his son. This normally would have occurred after his death, but the LORD showed his displeasure by demoting him before death.
Num 20:27 And Moses did as the LORD commanded: and they went up into mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation.
It was not a private ceremony, this was in full view of the congregation. Picture a battalion of soldiers standing at attention and the general, over them all, had not just his stripes torn off, but the entire uniform was taken from him and given to his son. That would be a humbling experience.
Num 20:28 And Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them upon Eleazar his son; and Aaron died there in the top of the mount: and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mount.
It was as the LORD had said Aaron died and Eleazer came down the mountain with Moses in the priestly garments.
Num 20:29 And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel. Fiery Serpents
Num 21:1 And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
The Canaanite king heard that the Hebrews were coming through a mountain pass called, the way of the spies. In California there is a mountain pass called the grapevine. A similar metaphor would be that they heard they were coming through the grapevine. Then he fought wandering Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
Num 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.
They were trusting in the LORD for deliverance this time, a good thing. Then they swore that they would destroy the pagan cities, which was also the Lord's earlier command. If we pray what God wants, we will receive His help. The pagan gods would be a stumbling block if the cities were left intact. God wanted a separated people who would trust in him.
Num 21:3 And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
They had their first victory in obeying the Lord. That is what God wanted all along, that they would trust and obey Him in all things. There is no separating God from the affairs of a country. We must obey God to be blessed. No separation of church and state, that is a doctrine of a devil. The devil wants to separate us from God in any way he may.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Num 21:4 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
They had a long journey around the land of Edom, because their ancestral brothers would not let them pass through. We sometimes get discouraged when we are tired, especially if you see little to hope for. Sometimes blood relations disappoint us. The older generation had been told that they would never reach their journeys destination, because of lack of faith. They knew they were under this curse.
Num 21:5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
Again they murmured and complained. This was all about developing character, trusting God in each step. They failed the test once again.
Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
The wrath of God on the children of disobedience. This was because they were under the law. Disobedience brought God's wrath. Under Jesus, we are covered by his blood, free of condemnation. The only one who condemns us is the devil and his workers and we do not believe their lies. We believe that under Jesus we are free from wrath, we are under God's loving grace, covered by his cleansing blood.
Lifted up Healer
Num 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
The LORD was teaching Israel to trust him each day. Because they again complained the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people. Stinging bites that were symbolic of satan in the camp. Satan inhabits our darkness, he has access to areas of sin that are unconfessed. This time they quickly confessed their sins and asked Moses to pray for them and he did.
We in Christ Jesus, can at times sin and give satan access to the darkness. We must quickly repent and ask God for forgiveness, through the blood of Jesus we will be restored.
1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Num 21:8 And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
The brass serpent represented their sins that were lifted up on a cross and God's promise of healing. Jesus was lifted up on a pole, taking our sins to the cross. As they were bitten if they looked upon the serpent of brass (judgment) that was lifted up, it was symbolic of the son of God lifted up on the cross, and they were healed. Jesus was lifted up for our healing and this was symbolic of this coming event. The Old Testament is full of symbolism for Messiah Jesus.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Jesus spoke of this brazen serpent in referring to himself.
John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This is a favorite scripture of His salvation promise. Believing in Jesus who was lifted up for us, for the removal of our sins and for our complete healing. We do not worship a statue of Jesus on the cross, nor are we to worship the brazen serpent. The Hebrews had gotten into idolatry, worshipping the brazen serpent, giving it the name of Nehushtan, meaning a piece of brass. King Hezekiah, put an end to this practice.
2 Ki 18:3 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did.
2 Ki 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.
2 Ki 18:5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.
We are not to complain, nor have idols, nor rebel against the LORD. He has sent his son, the LORD Jesus Christ for our healing and our restoration. Through him we know the way to the eternal promise land. Jesus brings us to our heavenly home.
Amorites Conquered
Num 21:21 And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying,
Num 21:22 Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.
Num 21:23 And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
This sounds like what the Edomites did to them earlier.
Num 21:24 And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.
Only now, they had learned to fight and were trusting the LORD instead of complaining. They won the battle.
Num 21:25 And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
This was the LORD's doing. He had begun to give them their inheritance, their promise land. Let us read more of this in Deuteronomy.
Deu 2:29 (As the children of Esau which dwell in Seir, and the Moabites which dwell in Ar, did unto me;) until I shall pass over Jordan into the land which the LORD our God giveth us.
Deu 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day.
Deu 2:31 And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
Num 21:26 For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.
Num 21:27 Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared:
Moses mentioned the song (or proverbs) sung by the people in celebration of the victory. These amazing lines (fourteen) have somewhat the nature of a sonnet, the first eleven lines extolling the power and might of Heshbon and Sihon, and the last three extolling the utter destruction of Heshbon. (Coffman)
Num 21:28 For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.
Num 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
This speaks of Israel's compassion for Moab, who trusted in a god called chemosh, who allowed them to go into captivity. If we trust in the true God, the God of Israel, he will protect. It is when we complain and turn to false gods, that our God allows captivity to come to those who rebel against him.
Num 21:30 We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.
Num 21:31 Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.
Num 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
This land would later be given to the tribes of Gad and Manasseh, as their inheritance. Israel was gaining confidence through winning these small battles. They no longer were fearing to inherit their land and the LORD was going before them. What of the older generation that was not to inherit the land? Had the fiery serpents reduced their numbers? Israel was beginning to inherit their promise land; so the time was about over for the older generation who was not allowed in because of unbelief. Are we with the generation of unbelief, murmuring and rebellion? Or are we trusting in our LORD and going forth in victory? The battle is the LORDS, get into the ranks of God's conquering people and receive your inheritance.
1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Bashan Conquered
Num 21:33 And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.
Israel was looking for a peaceful passage, yet again they are attacked. This time by king Og of Bashan. God's people have many enemies, but the LORD is their deliverer.
Num 21:34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
Fear not, this is spoken in every book of the Bible, fear not, do not fear, be of good courage, for the LORD is with you.
Num 21:35 So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
This was to be part of their inheritance on this side of the Jordan, but their reward of all the land was on the other side of the Jordan. They had conquered the cities that would have opposed them as they were to cross the Jordan River. Ahead of them was the city of Jericho, a mighty walled city. The new generation was going into the promise land, boldly going, with the LORD going before them. The Lord Jesus Christ has conquered the devil, we must go forward into our promise land.
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