even the slopes of the wadis that extend to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab." and the slopes of the ravinesThe phrase "slopes of the ravines" refers to the geographical features that are often found in the rugged terrain of the ancient Near East. The Hebrew word for "ravines" is "נַחֲלֵי" (nachalei), which can also mean valleys or streams. These ravines were significant in the journey of the Israelites as they traversed the wilderness. Historically, such features provided both challenges and resources, like water, which was crucial for survival. Spiritually, the ravines can symbolize the trials and low points in life, where God's guidance is essential. that lead to the site of Ar
The "site of Ar" refers to a location within the territory of Moab. Ar was a significant city in Moab, and its mention here indicates the proximity of the Israelites to Moabite lands. The Hebrew root for "Ar" is "עָר" (Ar), which means "city." This highlights the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land, encountering various nations and cities along the way. Theologically, this can be seen as a reminder of God's promise and the fulfillment of His covenant, as the Israelites move closer to the land He pledged to them. and lie along the border of Moab
The "border of Moab" signifies the boundary between the Israelites and the Moabites. Moab, a nation descended from Lot, often had a contentious relationship with Israel. The Hebrew word for "border" is "גְּבוּל" (gevul), which denotes a boundary or limit. This phrase underscores the importance of boundaries in the biblical narrative, both physical and spiritual. It serves as a reminder of the distinct identity and calling of God's people, set apart from the surrounding nations. Historically, borders were crucial for defining territories and maintaining peace, and spiritually, they represent the limits set by God for His people to live within His will. Persons / Places / Events 1. The Slope of the ValleysThis refers to the geographical features of the region the Israelites were traversing. It highlights the challenging terrain they encountered on their journey. 2. ArA city in Moab, which was a significant landmark for the Israelites. It represents a boundary or a point of transition in their journey. 3. MoabA nation located east of the Dead Sea. The Moabites were descendants of Lot and often had a contentious relationship with Israel. 4. The IsraelitesGod's chosen people, who were on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This verse is part of their wilderness wanderings. 5. The JourneyThe broader context of this verse is the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which was filled with both physical and spiritual challenges. Teaching Points Understanding BoundariesJust as the Israelites had to respect the boundaries of Moab, we must recognize and respect the boundaries God sets in our lives. These boundaries are for our protection and guidance. Navigating Difficult TerrainThe physical challenges faced by the Israelites can be likened to the spiritual and emotional challenges we face. Trusting God through these difficulties is crucial. God's Sovereignty in JourneysThe journey of the Israelites reminds us that God is sovereign over our life's journey. He knows the path and the challenges we will face. Respect for OthersThe Israelites' journey near Moab teaches us the importance of respecting others, even those who may not share our beliefs or values. Faith in God's PromisesDespite the challenges, the Israelites were moving towards the Promised Land. We too must hold onto God's promises, trusting that He will lead us to our ultimate destination. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the geographical setting of Numbers 21:15 reflect the spiritual journey of the Israelites, and what can we learn from it about our own spiritual journeys? 2. In what ways does the relationship between Israel and Moab in this passage teach us about interacting with those who may not share our faith? 3. How can we apply the concept of respecting boundaries in our personal and spiritual lives today? 4. What are some "difficult terrains" you are currently facing, and how can you trust God to guide you through them? 5. How do the promises of God provide hope and direction in the midst of life's challenges, as seen in the journey of the Israelites? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 2:9This verse provides context for the relationship between Israel and Moab, as God instructed the Israelites not to harass Moab or provoke them to war. Psalm 60:8This verse mentions Moab as a washbasin, symbolizing subjugation, which reflects the complex relationship between Israel and Moab. Isaiah 15-16These chapters prophesy the downfall of Moab, showing the eventual judgment on Moab despite their earlier interactions with Israel. People Ammonites, Amon, Amorites, Arad, Canaanites, Chemosh, Israelites, Moses, Og, SihonPlaces Ar, Arad, Arnon, Bamoth, Bashan, Beer, Dedan, Dibon, Edom, Edrei, Egypt, Heshbon, Hormah, Iye-abarim, Jabbok River, Jahaz, Jazer, King's Highway, Mattanah, Medeba, Moab, Mount Hor, Nahaliel, Negeb, Nophah, Oboth, Pisgah, Red Sea, Suphah, Valley of Zered, WahebTopics Along, Ar, Aside, Border, Brooks, Dwelling, Edge, Extends, Incline, Inclineth, Lead, Leaned, Leaneth, Leans, Lie, Lieth, Moab, Ravines, Seat, Site, Slope, Spring, Stream, Tents, Touching, Turneth, Valleys, WadisDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 21:13-15 4260 rivers and streams Library The Poison and the Antidote
'And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compare the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. 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. 6. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. 7. Therefore …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureMan's Ruin and God's Remedy
Man has very many wants, and he should be grateful whenever the least of them is supplied. But he has one want which overtops every other: it is the want of bread. Give him raiment, house him well, decorate and adorn him, yet if you give him not bread, his body faints, he dies of hunger. Hence it is that while the earth when it is tilled is made to bring forth many things that minister unto the comfort and luxury of men, yet man is wise enough to understand that since bread is his chief want, he …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859 The Disciple, -- Master, in These Days Some Learned Men and their Followers Regard Thy...
The Disciple,--Master, in these days some learned men and their followers regard Thy atonement and the redemption by blood as meaningless and futile, and say that Christ was only a great teacher and example for our spiritual life, and that salvation and eternal happiness depend on our own efforts and good deeds. The Master,--1. Never forget that spiritual and religious ideas are connected less with the head than with the heart, which is the temple of God, and when the heart is filled with the presence …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: ..... 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. W hen our Lord was transfigured, Moses and Elijah appeared in glory and conversed with Him. Had we been informed of the interview only, we should probably have desired to know the subject of their conversation, as we might reasonably suppose it turned upon very interesting and important …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Nations of the South-East
Israel was cut in two by the Jordan. The districts east of the Jordan were those that had first been conquered; it was from thence that the followers of Joshua had gone forth to possess themselves of Canaan. But this division of the territory was a source of weakness. The interests of the tribes on the two sides of the river were never quite the same; at times indeed they were violently antagonistic. When the disruption of the monarchy came after the death of Solomon, Judah was the stronger for the …
Archibald Sayce—Early Israel and the Surrounding Nations The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! G reat and marvellous are the works of the LORD God almighty! We live in the midst of them, and the little impression they make upon us, sufficiently proves our depravity. He is great in the very smallest; and there is not a plant, flower, or insect, but bears the signature of infinite wisdom and power. How sensibly then should we be affected by the consideration of the Whole , if sin had not blinded our understandings, and hardened …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
Text: 1 Corinthians 10, 6-13. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting The Second Commandment
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am o jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of then that hate me; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.' Exod 20: 4-6. I. Thou shalt not …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 The Two Classes.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray."--Luke xvii. 10. I now want to speak of two classes: First, those who do not feel their need of a Saviour who have not been convinced of sin by the Spirit; and Second, those who are convinced of sin and cry, "What must I do to be saved?" All inquirers can be ranged under two heads: they have either the spirit of the Pharisee, or the spirit of the publican. If a man having the spirit of the Pharisee comes into an after-meeting, I know of no better portion …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 21:15 NIVNumbers 21:15 NLTNumbers 21:15 ESVNumbers 21:15 NASBNumbers 21:15 KJV
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