SCRIPTURE: NUMBERS 21
ARAD DESTROYED (vs. 1-3)
Arad was the king of Canaan who lived in the Negev. When he heard that Israelites were coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked and captured some of them. The Israelites pleaded with the Lord and the Lord listened to their plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and the place was called Hormah.
THE BRONZE SNAKE (vs. 49)
From Mt. Hor, they traveled to Red Sea and go around Edom. The people grew impatient and grumbled against God and Moses. The Lord sent venomous snakes and many Israelites died. Moses prayed for the people and God told Moses to make a snake and put it up on a pole. Anyone who was bitten by a snake can look at it ant live.
THE JOURNEY TO MOAB (vs. 10-20)
Places of their journey were: Oboth, Abarim, Zered Valley, Arnon, Beer, Mattanah, Nahaliel, Bamoth, Pisgah, the valley in Moab.
DEFEAT OF SIHON AND OG (vs. 21-35)
Israel sent messenger to ask Sihon, the king of the Amorites for permission to pass through their territory. But Sihon denied their request and marched out into the desert against israel. He was put to death by sword and the Israelites took over his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok. So Israel settled in the land of the Amorites. Then they went up along the road toward Bashan. Then Og, the king of Bashan, and Og, king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet them in battle at Edrei. The Israelites struck him down together with his family and whole army and took possession of his land.
THOUGHTS:
What is the meaning of hanging a bronze snake on the pole? It means that just as the Israelites were healed of their sickness by looking at the snake on the pole, all believers today can be saved from the sickness of sin by looking to Jesus’ death on the cross. It was not the snake that healed the people but their belief to follow God’s instruction. In the same way, we should continue to took to Christ for His healing and guidance.