Key questions

1. What lessons may Christians draw from Israel’s conquest of Canaan?

2. How must Christians react under challenging circumstances?

3. How may those who have sinned and turned away from God obtain his pardon?

4. How does the obnoxious snake allude to Jesus Christ?

5. Draw a comparison between Christians’ experiences in the field of evangelism and Sihon’s denial of Israel’s right to free passage.

6. What do children of God learn from Israel’s achievements despite their enemies?

7. What lessons may we learn from Israel’s missteps in the desert?

In this article, I am going to base my discussion on Numbers 21:1-35 and anchor my writing on the above questions.

 The king of Canaan was very perturbed to learn of Israel’s approach. And he battled the Israelites, taking some of them prisoner in a quick defensive reaction. In their despair, Israel called out to God, and their desire was fulfilled. But Israel’s crippling sin of complaining prevented this tremendous victory and the euphoria that followed. Instead of having faith in God, they grumbled about the difficult trip. God sent fiery serpents among them as retribution for their wickedness. They turned to repentance as a result of the agony and demise the venomous snakes caused them. God ordered that a brazen serpent be put on a pole in order to grant healing and life to those who followed and saw it in response to the people’s penitence and in answer to Moses’ plea. This research will show that this ostentatious snake predicted a long-term fix to the problem of human sin (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 3:14,15). Following the forgiveness of their sin of grumbling, the Israelites resumed their trip, subduing adversaries, demolishing their towns, and taking possession of their territory. These are all crucial to our investigation.

  1. Israel’s victory over Canaan and falling into sin 

(Numbers 21:1-6; Exodus 16:2,3; Deuteronomy 7:1,2,5; Psalm 50:15; 1 Corinthians 10:9-11; Philippians 2:14,15)

Genesis 15:18–21 records that many years before, God had promised Abraham’s ancestors that they would inherit the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaims, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites. These countries were more powerful than Israel (Deuteronomy 4:38; 7:1; 9:1; 11:23), yet they would always win because of the unbeatable God in their corner. Similar to the Israelites, Satan and demons are the sworn adversaries of Christians; nevertheless, because of the tremendous God inside them, believers triumph over the forces of evil. At that point, Israel was on the verge of realizing the magnificent prophecy of obtaining the Gentile countries, but it would not arrive on a silver platter. They had to take the enemies by surprise and drive them from their territory. In order to bring our hopes and promises of safety, provision, and advancement to reality, God’s promises must be fulfilled in both divine and human roles.

 “And when King Arad the Canaanite, who lived in the south, learned that Israel had arrived via the spies, he engaged Israel in combat and captured a number of them” (Numbers 21:1). This fearful monarch undoubtedly caught Israel off guard, which is how he was able to capture a few of them. This emphasizes 1 Peter 5:8,9, which calls on believers to live sober and watchful lives. Because Satan finds it unpleasant when God’s people are content and moving forward, he attempts to throw obstacles in their path and send his minions to steal their happiness. Nonetheless, it is consoling to know that vigilant, pious, and faith-filled Christians remain unaffected by all such assaults. In their affliction, Israel prayed to God and vowed. Their incarceration became a victory when He granted their request. The towns of the Canaanites, who had up until now shown themselves to be stronger, were destroyed. This demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s promise found in Psalm 50:15, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” 

Israel’s victory against the Canaanites teaches us the following: 

  1. God never breaks his promises, so His children may put all their faith in Him to fulfill them (Psalm 89:34). 
  2. whereas a believer could experience a little setback, this does not imply that God has abandoned him (Psalm 30:5). 
  3. Barriers are suggestions rather than stop signs. A believer may find that learning a more effective strategy for reaching goals is all that stands in their way. 
  4. Prayer has great power. For Christians who can pray and believe that God will provide the necessary blessing, anything is possible (Psalm 50:15). 
  5. You might compare the realm of evangelism to Canaan. As soul-winners, we must never give up on people, towns, villages, and cities that are hostile to the gospel, just as Israel never gave up in the face of hostility. 

These people will eventually submit to our Savior and give Him complete dominion in their lives if they continue in prayer, faith, and perseverance (2 Timothy 4:2-5). “And Israel vowed a vow to the LORD, saying, ‘I will completely destroy their cities if thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand.'”  (Numbers 21:2). During their difficult period, Israel made a promise. Their commitment complied with the word of God. When Jacob was in trouble, he vowed to God (Genesis 28:20). But believers need to refrain from making hasty or unbiblical pledges. A child of God who makes a commitment should keep it and not hesitate to fulfill it. Regarding vows, God’s word is clear (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). Promises made to friends, family, strangers, and other brothers should be carefully kept by Christians. Unfortunately, Israel’s triumph over the Canaanites was short-lived as they reverted to their normal complaining behavior (Exodus 16:1-3; 17:1-3). “And they said to Moses and God, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?'” Because there is no water or bread, and because our souls detest this light bread, Numbers 21:5. They quickly started to complain after forgetting God’s kindness and generosity. It was clear from it that they had not yet learned from their previous errors. 

This represents the mindset of a large number of modern Christians. When people encounter difficulties, they become resentful and forget God’s previous blessings in their lives. However, as Christians, we have to learn to put our faith in God during difficult times. The Spirit of God has always given the following tried-and-true remedy for stress and anxiety: “Be careful for nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Through Christ Jesus, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6, 7).  Because difficult circumstances are fleeting, believers can find courage in God’s word, just as David found strength in the Lord, his God (1 Samuel 30:6).

  1. The Repentance of Israel and the Resulting Divine Intervention

(Numbers 21:7-9; Judges 10:15, 16; 1 Samuel 12:19, 20; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Chronicles 7:13, 14; John 3:14-16)

God saw that Israel’s cup of complaining was full and chose to chastise them. “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and much people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6, emphasis added). 

The following justifications made this heavenly discipline essential

  1.  of all, according to God’s word, “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). 
  2. According to James 3:6, using foul language will bring eternal damnation in hell and divine judgment. 
  3. Ignoring sin will cause it to become ingrained. It was necessary to break the practice of complaining among the children of Israel.
  4. They lacked the maturity to understand that their current struggles shouldn’t take their attention away from the Promised Land. 
  5. They were always turning inward toward Egypt, which was an offense to God. The world has nothing to offer but evil and suffering. 

Therefore, children of God should never consider returning there. “In this world, you will face hardships, but don’t lose hope—I have conquered it,” declares Christ in John 16:33. The Israelites requested Moses to pray for them once they realized that the death plague that was afflicting them was a result of their sin of complaining. God answered Moses’ prayer with a solution to the plague: a brass snake was hanged on a pole, and anybody bitten had to gaze at it in order to survive. A sinner must turn from their sin and turn to Jesus to be saved. Because of their contrition, Israel was modest enough to acknowledge their mistakes to Moses (Numbers 21:7). 

Believers’ attitudes should demonstrate how sincere their repentance is. Christ was symbolized by the brazen snake: “And just as Moses raised the serpent in the desert, so also must the Son of Man be raised: that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life rather than perish (John 3:14–15). Both are comparable in a number of respects. 

  1. Christ was crucified on the cross, then the snake was put on a pole. 
  2. Slaves of sin can gaze to the Saviour by faith and be set free and granted eternal life, just as those bitten by a snake looked at the haughty serpent and survived. 
  3. Just as confidence in the brazen serpent restored health to the sick, so too does faith in Christ. 
  4. The same divine force that moved the brazen serpent also moves through Christ. 
  5. Ultimately, just as the Israelites needed to exhibit faith and obedience in order to benefit from the medicine that the brazen serpent offered, sinners and backsliders likewise need to do the same in order to experience redemption and restoration.
  1. PROGRESS OF ISRAEL AND THE ACQUISITION OF LAND FROM ITS ENEMIES

(Numbers 21:10-35; Exodus 14:15; Deuteronomy 2:3; Genesis 26:12-14; Obadiah 17; Joshua 1:3-5; Psalm 2:8,9; 1 Corinthians 16:9)

After striking the life-saving brazen snake, Israel advanced much in their march towards the Promised Land. From Oboth, they relocated and set up camp. From there, they went to Ijeabarim, the valley of Zared, the opposite side of Arnon, Beer, Mattanah, Nahaliel, Bamoth, the summit of Pisgah, and Basha. ” After that, they traveled to Beer, which is the well where the LORD told Moses to gather the people so that He might give them water. Israel then began to sing, “Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it.” (Numbers 21:16–18). 

Once believers have a sincere experience with Christ, the Saviour, God gives them the ability to grow spiritually without hindrance. 

Here, a few key lessons are evident. 

  1. God told Moses to assemble the people so that He could provide them with water. Because He is not and cannot be the creator of misunderstanding, God guides His people via their leader (1 Corinthians 14:33).
  2. The people had to dig for the water even though God supplied it. The entirety of God’s blessings is not available to believers who fold their hands without performing any righteous effort. 
  3. Saints are supposed to sing in praise of God’s kindness, just as Israel did (Colossians 3:16). “From thence they removed and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites.” (Numbers 21:13). Because God had not granted them to Israel, the offspring of Esau and the descendants of Lot, respectively, controlled Mount Seir and Moab, which Israel avoided militarily encountering on their way to the Promised Land.

(Deuteronomy 2:4,5,9). Israel then dispatched messengers to Amoritan king Sihon, stating, “Let me travel through your territory; we won’t go through the crops or vineyards, and we won’t drink from the well’s waters. However, we shall follow the King’s Path until we cross your boundaries (Numbers 21:21, 22). Israel attempted to make peace with King Sihon, but he refused to budge. Rather, he assembled his entire people to oppose them (Numbers 21:23). His denial of Israel’s right of passage is comparable to Satan and his goons blocking the spread of the gospel in some towns, cities, and villages. 

However, just as Israel could not be stopped, so can the gospel be stopped by any force of evil (Matthew 16:18; 24:14). “And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, taking possession of his territory from Arnon to Jabbok, all the way to the children of Ammon, because the children of Ammon had a powerful boundary. Israel conquered all of these cities, settling in Heshbon, all of the villages there, and all of the Amorite cities (Numbers 21:24, 25). Rich or poor, educated or uneducated, big or tiny, the gospel power will continue to win people over to Christ’s unrivaled rule. ” And they turned and proceeded along the Bashan way, and the King of Bashan, along with his entire army, marched out to fight them at Edrei. And the LORD said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him; for I have given him over to you, along with all his people and his land; and you shall treat him as you treated Sihon the Amorite king, who lived at Heshbon” (Numbers 21:33, 34).  

Since Satan is relentless in his attacks on Christians, believers shouldn’t look for solace. It is consoling to know that just as Israel advanced on their trip and conquered the countries of their foes, so too are God’s children unstoppable and will achieve everything that God has planned for them. God encourages Christians not to fear, just as He urged Moses not to fear the king of Bashan.