Numbers 21:4–20

Introduction

Numbers 21:4–20: The Israelites continue their journey to Canaan, the land God had promised them. Once again, they complain about conditions in the desert, and God sends poisonous snakes to bite them. The people acknowledge their sin, and Moses prays for them. The people continue their journey, and God provides water to sustain them.

Today’s Key Verse: Numbers 21:9 GNT

So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten would look at the bronze snake and be healed.

Read

⁴ The Israelites left Mount Hor by the road that leads to the Gulf of Aqaba, in order to go around the territory of Edom. But on the way the people lost their patience ⁵ and spoke against God and Moses. They complained, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We can’t stand any more of this miserable food!” ⁶ Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many Israelites were bitten and died. ⁷ The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Now pray to the Lord to take these snakes away.” So Moses prayed for the people. ⁸ Then the Lord told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed. ⁹ So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten would look at the bronze snake and be healed.

¹⁰ The Israelites moved on and camped at Oboth. ¹¹ After leaving that place, they camped at the ruins of Abarim in the wilderness east of Moabite territory. ¹² Then they camped in Zered Valley. ¹³ From there they moved again and camped on the north side of the Arnon River, in the wilderness which extends into Amorite territory. (The Arnon was the border between the Moabites and the Amorites.) ¹⁴ That is why The Book of the Lord’s Battles speaks of “… the town of Waheb in the area of Suphah, and the valleys; the Arnon River, ¹⁵ and the slope of the valleys that extend to the town of Ar and toward the border of Moab.”

¹⁶ From there they went on to a place called Wells, where the Lord said to Moses, “Bring the people together, and I will give them water.” ¹⁷ At that time the people of Israel sang this song:

“Wells, produce your water;
And we will greet it with a song—
¹⁸ The well dug by princes
And by leaders of the people,
Dug with a royal scepter
And with their walking sticks.”

They moved from the wilderness to Mattanah, ¹⁹ and from there they went on to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, ²⁰ and from Bamoth to the valley in the territory of the Moabites, below the top of Mount Pisgah, looking out over the desert.

Reflect

After leaving Mount Hor, what did the people complain about (verses 4–5)? What happened as a result (verse 6)? What did the people ask of Moses (verse 7)? What did the LORD tell Moses to do (verse 8)? What happened when the people arrived at a place called Wells (verse 16)? How did the people rejoice (verses 17–18)?

Pray

Patient God, I thank and praise you for your constant presence and for providing me with daily sustenance. With a song in my heart, I sing your praises. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading.

Deuteronomy 4:1–14: Moses urges the Israelites to be obedient.