Numbers 21

Chapter Summary

The chapter begins with the Israelites' defeat of the Canaanite king Arad, followed by their rebellion against God, which results in the sending of venomous snakes among them. After Moses intercedes on their behalf, God instructs him to create a bronze serpent, which becomes a symbol of salvation and healing for those who look upon it. The Israelites then journey to various locations, including Oboth, Iye-abarim, and the valley of the Arnon, where they encounter the Amorites and other nations. The chapter concludes with the Israelites' victory over the Amorite king Sihon and the Moabite king Og, demonstrating God's power and favor towards His people. Key verses, such as Numbers 21:4-9, highlight the Israelites' rebellion and God's subsequent judgment, while Numbers 21:14-15 and Numbers 21:27-30 provide historical context and poetic reflections on the Israelites' conquests.

Context for the Chapter

Numbers 21 is situated in the larger narrative of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, which serves as a metaphor for the spiritual journey of believers today. The chapter provides a unique perspective on God's character, highlighting His justice, mercy, and power, while also emphasizing the importance of obedience, trust, and faith in God's providence. This chapter is also connected to the broader biblical narrative, as seen in Deuteronomy 2:26-3:11, where Moses reflects on the Israelites' conquests, and Joshua 12:1-6, where the Israelites' victories are recounted.

Heart Application

As believers, we can apply the lessons of Numbers 21 to our own lives by recognizing the importance of obedience, trust, and faith in God's providence. We must also acknowledge the reality of sin and its consequences, while trusting in God's power to deliver us from sin and its effects, as seen in Romans 6:1-14, where Paul writes, 'we know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.'

What Does This Chapter Mean?

Numbers 21 describes the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, where they face various challenges and rebellions, leading to God's judgment and ultimately, redemption. The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty, justice, and mercy, as He guides His people towards the Promised Land. The bronze serpent serves as a powerful symbol of salvation and healing, representing Christ, who would later be lifted up on the cross to provide redemption to all who believe in Him, as seen in Numbers 21:9 and John 3:14-15.

Voices from the Church

“The bronze serpent is a type of Christ, who was lifted up on the cross to provide salvation to all who believe in Him, as seen in John 3:14-15.”

— John Calvin

“The wilderness represents the challenges and difficulties that believers face during their spiritual journey, but God's power and mercy are always available to guide and deliver them, as seen in Psalm 23:4, where David writes, 'even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.'”

— Charles Spurgeon

Outline for Preaching

1. The Israelites' Rebellion (Numbers 21:1-5) — The Israelites rebel against God, leading to His judgment and the sending of venomous snakes among them, as seen in Numbers 21:4-5, where the Israelites complain against God and Moses.
2. The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:6-9) — Moses creates the bronze serpent, which becomes a symbol of salvation and healing for those who look upon it, as seen in Numbers 21:9, where Moses sets up the bronze serpent, and John 3:14-15, where Jesus says, 'Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.'
3. The Israelites' Journey (Numbers 21:10-20) — The Israelites journey to various locations, including Oboth, Iye-abarim, and the valley of the Arnon, where they encounter the Amorites and other nations, as seen in Numbers 21:10-13, where the Israelites travel through the wilderness.
4. The Conquest of the Amorites (Numbers 21:21-35) — The Israelites defeat the Amorite king Sihon and the Moabite king Og, demonstrating God's power and favor towards His people, as seen in Numbers 21:21-25, where the Israelites conquer the Amorites.
5. The Poetic Reflections (Numbers 21:27-30) — The chapter concludes with poetic reflections on the Israelites' conquests, emphasizing God's power and sovereignty, as seen in Numbers 21:27-30, where the Israelites sing a song of triumph over the Amorites and Moabites.

Core Doctrines

Sovereignty of God

Numbers 21 highlights God's sovereignty and power, as He guides the Israelites through the wilderness and delivers them from their enemies, as seen in Numbers 21:14-15, where God gives the Israelites victory over the Amorites.

Redemption

The chapter emphasizes the theme of redemption, as God provides salvation and healing to the Israelites through the bronze serpent, representing Christ, who would later be lifted up on the cross to provide redemption to all who believe in Him, as seen in Numbers 21:9 and John 3:14-15.

Faith and Obedience

The Israelites' experiences serve as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's providence, as seen in Numbers 21:4-5, where the Israelites complain against God and Moses, leading to God's judgment.

Judgment and Mercy

The chapter demonstrates God's justice and mercy, as He judges the Israelites for their rebellion, yet provides redemption and healing through the bronze serpent, as seen in Numbers 21:9, where Moses creates the bronze serpent, and Numbers 21:14-15, where God gives the Israelites victory over the Amorites.

Lessons from Numbers 21

1. The Importance of Obedience — The Israelites' rebellion against God serves as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of obedience and trust in God's providence, as seen in Numbers 21:4-5, where the Israelites complain against God and Moses, leading to God's judgment.
2. The Power of Redemption — The bronze serpent represents Christ, who would later be lifted up on the cross to provide redemption to all who believe in Him, as seen in Numbers 21:9 and John 3:14-15.
3. The Sovereignty of God — Numbers 21 highlights God's sovereignty and power, as He guides the Israelites through the wilderness and delivers them from their enemies, as seen in Numbers 21:14-15, where God gives the Israelites victory over the Amorites.
4. The Importance of Faith — The Israelites' experiences serve as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's providence, as seen in Numbers 21:4-5, where the Israelites complain against God and Moses, leading to God's judgment.
5. The Balance of Judgment and Mercy — The chapter demonstrates God's justice and mercy, as He judges the Israelites for their rebellion, yet provides redemption and healing through the bronze serpent, as seen in Numbers 21:9, where Moses creates the bronze serpent, and Numbers 21:14-15, where God gives the Israelites victory over the Amorites.

Themes from Numbers 21

1. Redemption and Salvation — The bronze serpent serves as a powerful symbol of salvation and healing, representing Christ, who would later be lifted up on the cross to provide redemption to all who believe in Him, as seen in Numbers 21:9 and John 3:14-15.
2. God's Sovereignty and Power — Numbers 21 highlights God's sovereignty and power, as He guides the Israelites through the wilderness and delivers them from their enemies, as seen in Numbers 21:14-15, where God gives the Israelites victory over the Amorites.
3. Faith and Obedience — The Israelites' experiences serve as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's providence, as seen in Numbers 21:4-5, where the Israelites complain against God and Moses, leading to God's judgment.
4. Judgment and Mercy — The chapter demonstrates God's justice and mercy, as He judges the Israelites for their rebellion, yet provides redemption and healing through the bronze serpent, as seen in Numbers 21:9, where Moses creates the bronze serpent, and Numbers 21:14-15, where God gives the Israelites victory over the Amorites.
5. The Wilderness as a Metaphor — The wilderness represents the challenges and difficulties that believers face during their spiritual journey, but God's power and mercy are always available to guide and deliver them, as seen in Psalm 23:4, where David writes, 'even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.'

Questions for Meditation

1. What can we learn from the Israelites' rebellion against God in Numbers 21:4-5, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives?
2. How does the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:9 serve as a symbol of salvation and healing, and what does it represent in the broader biblical narrative?
3. What role does faith and obedience play in the Israelites' experiences in Numbers 21, and how can we apply these principles to our own spiritual journeys?
4. How does Numbers 21 demonstrate God's sovereignty and power, and what implications does this have for our understanding of God's character and nature?
5. What can we learn from the poetic reflections in Numbers 21:27-30, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives and spiritual journeys?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Numbers 21

	Sermon	Description
	Heaven and Hell by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of repentance and putting one's trust in Jesus. He warns that there is no security in earthly things and that everyone, regardle
	Nature of the New Birth by Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the serpent on the pole from the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of explaining this story to children in a way they can under
	Set Free From the Power of Serpents by Carter Conlon	In this sermon titled "Set Free from the Power of Serpents," the preacher emphasizes the need for individuals to seek freedom from the influence of sin and the enemy. He encourages
	Apostle's Doctrine - Part 5 by G.W. North	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living by faith and how it changes the basis of our lives. He highlights that we are not justified by our own efforts or wo
	(Christ—the Way God Makes Man Righteous) 8. Saving Faith by Denny Kenaston	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of believing in and resting in the word of God. He highlights that God's current message to the world is one of mercy, but wa
	What Is the Gospel? by Voddie Baucham	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding and proclaiming the gospel. He warns against the tendency to focus on other issues while assuming the gospel.
	Man's Ruin and God's Remedy by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher addresses sinners and emphasizes their desperate state. He describes four alarming truths that sinners must face: their guilt for past sins, their inab
	The Incarnation and Birth of Christ by C.H. Spurgeon	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar. The preacher emphasizes how Nebucha
	The Power of the Blood - Sermon 5 of 5 - the Holy Place or the Holiest by Roy Hession	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of the tabernacle and its significance in the journey of the children of Israel. The tabernacle was a portable place of worship th
	Three Characteristics of God's House by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a solid foundation in God's word. He encourages the congregation to develop a habit of listening to God's word daily

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Numbers 21

In Numbers 21, we see the Israelites' continued rebellion against God, despite His many mercies and deliverances. The sending of the venomous snakes among them serves as a punishment for their sin, but also as an opportunity for them to repent and seek God's mercy. The bronze serpent, lifted up by Moses, is a type of Christ, who would later be lifted up on the cross to provide redemption to all who believe in Him. The chapter also recounts the Israelites' conquest of the Amorites and Moabites, demonstrating God's power and favor towards His people. Through these events, we see the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's providence, as well as the reality of sin and its consequences. Ultimately, the chapter points us to Christ, who is our only hope for salvation and redemption, as seen in John 3:14-15, where Jesus says, 'Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?