Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. For HeshbonHeshbon, a significant city in biblical history, was strategically located east of the Jordan River. The name "Heshbon" is derived from the Hebrew root "חשבון" (ḥeshbôn), meaning "stronghold" or "fortress." This city served as a central hub for the Amorites and later became a symbol of conquest and victory for the Israelites. Archaeological evidence suggests that Heshbon was a well-fortified city, reflecting its importance in the region. The mention of Heshbon here sets the stage for understanding the territorial conflicts and the divine orchestration of Israel's journey to the Promised Land. was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites
Sihon, the Amorite king, is a pivotal figure in Israel's wilderness journey. The Amorites were a powerful group known for their fortified cities and military prowess. The Hebrew root for "Amorites" is "אמורי" (Emori), which can be associated with "mountaineers" or "dwellers of the highlands." Sihon's control over Heshbon signifies his dominance in the region. His defeat by the Israelites, as recorded in the surrounding passages, underscores God's promise to deliver the land into Israel's hands, demonstrating His faithfulness and sovereignty. who had fought against the former king of Moab
The conflict between Sihon and the Moabites highlights the turbulent nature of the region's history. Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, was often in conflict with neighboring nations. The phrase "former king of Moab" indicates a historical shift in power, with Sihon emerging victorious. This victory over Moab by Sihon set the stage for Israel's subsequent conquest, as God used these historical events to fulfill His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. and had taken from him all his land
The phrase "had taken from him all his land" emphasizes the extent of Sihon's conquest. The Hebrew verb "לקח" (laqach), meaning "to take" or "to seize," conveys the forceful acquisition of territory. This act of taking land is significant in the biblical narrative, as it reflects the common practice of territorial expansion through warfare in the ancient Near East. For Israel, the repossession of this land was not merely a military victory but a divine mandate, as God was reclaiming the land for His chosen people. as far as the Arnon
The Arnon River served as a natural boundary between Moab and the Amorite territory. The mention of the Arnon establishes the geographical limits of Sihon's conquest. The Arnon, known today as Wadi Mujib, is a significant geographical feature in the region, marking the southern border of the Amorite kingdom. This boundary is crucial in understanding the territorial divisions and the subsequent allocation of land to the tribes of Israel. The reference to the Arnon underscores the precision of God's promises and the fulfillment of His plans for Israel's inheritance. Persons / Places / Events 1. HeshbonA significant city in the territory of the Amorites, which became a focal point in the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. 2. SihonThe king of the Amorites, who conquered the land from the Moabites and later opposed the Israelites, leading to his defeat. 3. AmoritesA group of ancient people living in the land that the Israelites were to conquer as part of God's promise to Abraham. 4. MoabA neighboring nation to Israel, often in conflict with them, from whom Sihon had previously taken land. 5. ArnonA river that served as a boundary marker, significant in the territorial disputes and conquests described in the Old Testament. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in ConquestThe defeat of Sihon and the Amorites illustrates God's control over nations and His ability to fulfill His promises to His people. Historical Context of God's PromisesUnderstanding the historical context of Israel's journey and conquests helps us appreciate the fulfillment of God's promises and His faithfulness. Spiritual WarfareJust as Israel faced physical battles, Christians today face spiritual battles. We are called to trust in God's power and guidance as we confront challenges. God's FaithfulnessThe account of Sihon's defeat is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant with Israel, encouraging believers to trust in His promises. Lessons from HistoryReflecting on Israel's history can provide valuable lessons for our spiritual journey, reminding us of the importance of obedience and reliance on God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the conquest of Heshbon by the Israelites demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises? 2. In what ways can the account of Sihon's defeat encourage us in our own spiritual battles today? 3. How does understanding the historical context of Israel's journey enhance our appreciation of God's sovereignty? 4. What parallels can we draw between the physical battles faced by Israel and the spiritual battles we encounter as Christians? 5. How can reflecting on God's past faithfulness, as seen in the defeat of the Amorites, strengthen our trust in His promises for the future? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 2:24-37This passage provides a detailed account of the Israelites' encounter with Sihon and the subsequent battle, emphasizing God's command and promise to deliver the Amorites into Israel's hands. Judges 11:19-22Jephthah recounts the history of Israel's conquest of the Amorite land, highlighting the legitimacy of Israel's claim to the territory. Psalm 135:10-12This psalm praises God for His mighty acts, including the defeat of Sihon and the Amorites, as part of His faithfulness to 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 Amorite, Amorites, Arnon, Earlier, Former, Fought, Heshbon, Moab, Sihon, Taketh, Town, WarDictionary of Bible Themes 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 21:26 NIVNumbers 21:26 NLTNumbers 21:26 ESVNumbers 21:26 NASBNumbers 21:26 KJV
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