Christ in all the scriptures
"The book of the wars of the Lord" Numbers 21
On the verge of entering the promised land, in the second half of the 40th year from the exodus, the chapter records the many conflicts that afflicted Israel. "Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the Lord, what He did in the Red Sea, and in the brooks of Arnon"- Numbers 21v14. This is the deliverance from Egypt at the beginning of their journey (at the Red Sea), and now from the Amorites at the end (at Arnon). We note He was with them from beginning to end; that He was personally involved in their struggles, ensuring their victory. We also note that every struggle was written down in the book of the wars of the Lord. Scripture refers to many books of the Lord, and all the suffering of His people will be recorded and remembered. An interesting study for all of us is to mark the different books of the Lord in scripture and so understand the reality that He is with us at every phase of the journey. This sets the tone of this chapter, that, on the way to the promised land, God's people will suffer many trials and will be involved in many conflicts before our final rest. Of particular note is the reference to the Amorites in v21-35. The history of this goes back to Genesis 15v16, when God said to Abraham, "In the fourth generation they (Israel) shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full". From this unique prophecy we understand the workings (and the wonder) of Divine government in this world. God knew that the iniquity of the Amorites would only increase; that He would allow generations to pass (over 400 years) before He would judge this nation; that He would give them final opportunity to repent of their evil ways, by accommodating His people Israel. They never did and so He exterminated them as only God can do. Refusal of the mercy of God will lead to ultimate ruin, and, through Israel, He brought their existence to an end, as is recounted in the chapter. This is God's way, and no nation can expect any difference. He is a patient, longsuffering God, allowing time and opportunity to repent. Ultimately He will judge all nations on the basis of righteous judgment-the Psalmist records, "The wicked shall be turned into hell and all the nations that forget God"-Psalm 9v17. The world must know, individually, and nationally, we are all accountable to the living God who will judge the world, the whole world, in righteousness.
Israel are on the march. They have been wandering for 40 years, but now they are moving forward in the will of God toward their rest. For us, Jesus is the captain of our salvation, leading many sons to glory (Hebrews 2v10), and that involves suffering. While they were wandering no one troubled them, but when they started to move with God the opposition began! Our adversary, the devil, is quite content to leave us alone, but when we march for God, then he mobilises the enemy. We could well ask ourselves, are we wandering or are we marching? It is notable that to the dead church at Sardis there was no mention of Satan, as there was at Smyrna, and Pergamos, and Thyatira, and Philadelphia. They were, in the main, spiritually inactive.
Now, it is evident that this chapter is dealing with the conflict that will be the portion of all believers. The threefold enemy of Christian life is depicted here, the WORLD, as typified in the Canaanites; the FLESH as illustrated in Israel's disillusionment and complaint against the Lord; the DEVIL, as personified in Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, formidable adversaries who sought to block their way. The main thrust of the chapter is of victory out of failure in the power of the Lord..
Hostility from the king of Arad, the Canaanite Numbers 21v1-3 Canaan, "the land flowing with milk and honey", held real attractions for them, as the world of today has real attractions for us. However it was occupied and ruled by a people under the curse of God (Genesis 9v25); who were totally committed to commerce (Canaan means "merchant"), and who lived in rank idolatry and sacrilege (according to legend). This initial victory would lead to seven years conflict as per the book of Joshua. In spiritual terms, the world system in which we live is a persistent enemy of the people of God. Israel overcame it by making a vow before the Lord, a commitment to overcome it. The New Testament equivalent is 1st John 5v4, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith". Whether we think of it as the world of false religion, or of commerce, or of politics, or of entertainment, we are emphatically told that "friendship with the world is enmity with God"-James 4v4. We live in the world but we are not of it, and we should not love that which is contrary to God.
Weakness of the flesh due to the rigours of the way Numbers 21v4-20 The refusal of Edom to allow them safe passage meant they had to endure a circuitous trip to reach their destination. This caused them deep frustration and brought out the worst in them. They vented their anger against the Lord and against Moses, reverting to false accusations and disdain of God's provision. "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"-21v5. Previously they had complained against Moses no less than 8 times-Ex. 15v24; 16v2; 17v3; Numbers 12v1; 14v2; 16v3; 16v41; 20v2. On this ninth occasion they became bolder, speaking against God and Moses. The Lord had enough and acted severely without warning. This blasphemy, in the face of all His provision was unacceptable and He brought their murmuring to an end. The flesh, our self interest to the exclusion of anything else, is a real problem to those of faith when unexpected difficulties arise. This brings out the whole "works of the flesh" to which the Spirit of God is opposed-Galatians 5v16-26. "The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, and much people of Israel died"-21v6. This gives rise to the wonderful gospel story of the brazen serpent lifted up. The narrative was used by Jesus to illustrate His death at the cross for the whole world-John 3v14/15.
The whole camp of Israel The whole world Bitten by fiery serpents Bitten by Satan Ready to die Ready to perish forever God provided the remedy God sent His Son A brazen serpent upon a pole The Son of God lifted up Whoever looked lived Whoever believes is saved
They offended God, He judged them, as He has a right to do; He provided the remedy; this remedy symbolised the crucifixion of His Son; they were invited to look and live, and He healed them. Such is the provision of a forgiving God. They were duly humbled, they confessed their sin (which they had never done before-standing on their pride that they were ill done to), now they acknowledge their evil, and the majesty of the One they had offended. What followed was a blessedness that is the portion of all the contrite before the Lord.
They marched forward with courage and purpose 21v10-20. They pitched toward the sunrising (their eyes were toward the sunrising, symbolic of the coming of the Lord)-21v11. They found the springing up well, and they would never thirst again (symbolic of the Spirit who would never leave them)-21v16/17. They sang with gusto the song of victory, this was the victory of the lawgiver-21v18. They journeyed from sin to salvation to sunrising to satisfaction to singing! This is the good news from above to everyone who believes.
Overcoming the mighty strength of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and the supernatural power of Og, king of Bashan Numbers 21v21-35
Sihon had overcome Moab, which was no mean feat, and Og was the last of the Rephaim, of the group of giants, half man/half demon who had corrupted the earth from the days of Noah (Genesis 6v1-4. See also Deuteronomy 3). The picture here is of a fearsome power debarring their way. The Lord said "Fear him not; for I have delivered him into thine 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 in Heshbon"-21v34. Note the language of complete victory in the power of the Lord: "And Israel smote him (Sihon) with the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon to Jabbok; even unto the children of Ammon"-21v24. Again, "So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land"-21v35. The faithful also face a fearsome enemy, who is actively opposed to believers, who heads a hierarchy of innumerable demons, whose one purpose is to tempt them and discourage them, and destroy their lives even if he has lost their souls-refer Ephesians 6v10-17; 1st Peter 5v8. He uses deception, distortion, discouragement, disappointment, defilement, defiance, disobedience, and more, to bring us down. The Lord will give us the victory, He wants us to be victorious, we can be victorious in His superior strength-Romans 16v20; 8v37-39; 2nd Corinthians 2v11; 10v4. Our ultimate victory is through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, who rose again, who ascended to heaven, who lives to intercede for us. God raised a brazen serpent on a pole to give Israel the victory. Although it was Jesus who died on the cross, yet it was the serpent who was defeated, and in that victory we all stand (Colossians 2v15). This chapter is summed up in the words of 1st Corinthians 15v57, "Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ".
Christian, be confident, be courageous, be enterprising, be joyful, be positive, be thankful!!! You are on the winning side.
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