The invasion begins

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means.. Let's see where this takes us! 

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Numbers 21

Verses 1-3: Israel promises that if the LORD gives the Canaanites of the Negreb over to them, Israel will destroy them and their towns. It's as if Israel knows the LORD wants them destroyed.

Verses 4-9: Israel has to avoid Edom (Chapter 20) and once again complained to Moses about the lack of food and water. The LORD sends poisonous serpents, apparently as punishment for the griping.

As I wrote regarding Genesis 3: "As one of the most 'grounded' of animals, a serpent might be an appropriate figure to represent the wisdom of the physical or natural world. This idea isn’t original with me."

I wonder if the plague of serpents represents a lack of understanding. The LORD's ways are not the world's ways, and relying on an earthly understanding of, for example, where food and water come from, will only come back to bite you. The snake image Moses made to heal them required them to look "up."

Verses 10-19: Moab is the name of one of Lot's sons through his incestual relationship with one of his daughters. The mention of a "Book of the Wars of the Lord" is quite interesting, although no wars seem to be fought with Moab.

Verses 20-32: King Sihon doesn't seem to be known to history aside from this account. The Amorites were Canaanite, meaning descendants of Ham. Sihon, like the King of Edom, refused passage for Israel. This time, Israel fought and beat the Amorites, and settled in (or stole) their land.

Verses 33:35: Like King Sihon, King Og of Bashan isn't mentioned in the historical record aside from the Bible.

 In the previous chapter, it's said that Moses wouldn't live to see the promised land. It does seem, however, that he reached a part of it. The Amorites are among those the LORD promised to blot out (Exodus 23:23). The LORD also said, " I will set your borders from the Red Sea] to the sea of the Philistines and from the wilderness to the Euphrates." (Exodus 23:31) 

The action in this chapter took place within those borders.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)