And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok--but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified. And Israel put him to the swordThis phrase signifies a decisive military victory by the Israelites over Sihon, king of the Amorites. The Hebrew root for "put to the sword" is "נכה" (nakah), which means to strike or smite. This victory is not just a physical conquest but also a spiritual triumph, as it demonstrates God's faithfulness in delivering His promises to Israel. Historically, this victory is significant as it marks a turning point in Israel's journey to the Promised Land, showcasing their growing strength and God's providential guidance. and took possession of his land
The act of taking possession is rooted in the Hebrew word "ירש" (yarash), which means to inherit or occupy. This is not merely a territorial gain but a fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham regarding the land. Theologically, it represents the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and the importance of obedience and trust in God's plan. Archaeologically, this period marks the beginning of Israel's settlement in the Transjordan region, a significant step in their establishment as a nation. from the Arnon to the Jabbok
The Arnon and the Jabbok are significant geographical markers. The Arnon River served as a boundary between Moab and the Amorites, while the Jabbok River was a tributary of the Jordan River. These rivers define the extent of the land conquered by Israel. Historically, these boundaries are crucial as they delineate the territory that God allotted to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. Theologically, it underscores the precision of God's promises and His attention to detail in the fulfillment of His word. but only up to the border of the Ammonites
This phrase highlights the respect for boundaries set by God. The Israelites did not encroach upon the land of the Ammonites, as God had instructed them not to disturb the descendants of Lot (Deuteronomy 2:19). This demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's commands and respect for His sovereign decisions regarding nations and their territories. Historically, it reflects the complex relationships between the Israelites and their neighboring nations. because it was fortified
The fortification of the Ammonite border indicates a well-defended and established territory. The Hebrew word for fortified is "עז" (az), meaning strong or mighty. This detail emphasizes the strategic and military considerations in Israel's conquests. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder that while God grants victories, He also sets limits and boundaries for His people, teaching them reliance on His wisdom and timing. Historically, it reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of fortifying cities and borders to protect against invasions, underscoring the challenges Israel faced in their conquest of the land. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Jacob, who are journeying to the Promised Land. 2. SihonThe Amorite king who opposed Israel and was defeated by them. 3. ArnonA river that served as a boundary marker, representing the southern border of the land taken by Israel. 4. JabbokAnother river marking the northern extent of the land Israel captured from Sihon. 5. AmmonitesA neighboring people whose border was respected by Israel due to its fortification and possibly divine instruction. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BattlesThis passage illustrates God's control over the outcomes of battles. Israel's victory over Sihon was not merely a military success but a fulfillment of God's promise. Respect for BoundariesIsrael's decision to not encroach upon the Ammonite territory demonstrates a respect for boundaries, which can be seen as an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty over nations and their lands. Faith and ObedienceIsrael's willingness to engage in battle against Sihon, despite the potential risks, reflects their faith in God's promises and their obedience to His commands. Divine ProvisionThe acquisition of land signifies God's provision for His people, reminding believers that God provides for our needs in His timing and way. Historical Validation of FaithThe historical accounts of Israel's conquests serve to validate the faith of believers, showing that God's promises are reliable and His power is unmatched. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the victory over Sihon demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of respecting boundaries in our personal and spiritual lives today? 3. How does the account of Israel's conquest encourage us to trust in God's provision and timing? 4. What can we learn from Israel's obedience to God's command to engage in battle, and how can this be applied to spiritual battles we face? 5. How do the historical accounts of Israel's victories strengthen our faith in the reliability of Scripture and God's promises? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 2:24-37Provides a detailed account of the same event, emphasizing God's command to Israel to engage Sihon in battle and His promise of victory. Joshua 12:1-6Lists the defeated kings and lands conquered by Israel, including Sihon, highlighting God's faithfulness in delivering the land to His people. Judges 11:19-22Jephthah recounts Israel's conquest of Sihon's land, affirming the historical claim and God's providence in the victory. 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 Ammon, Ammonites, Armed, Arnon, Border, Boundary, Edge, Fortified, Jabbok, Jazer, Mouth, Overcame, Possessed, Possesseth, Possession, Slew, Smiteth, Smote, Sons, Strong, Strongly, Struck, SwordDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 21:23-24 4260 rivers and streams Numbers 21:24-35 5572 sword 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 21:24 NIVNumbers 21:24 NLTNumbers 21:24 ESVNumbers 21:24 NASBNumbers 21:24 KJV
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