Winning the Canaanite battle

The Canaanite king of Arad heard the Israelites were approaching, so he attacked the Israelites and took some prisoners. Then the Israelites made a vow to the Lord that if he would help them conquer the enemies, they would destroy all the towns. The Lord heard and gave them victory. The towns were destroyed and the place was called Hormah.

Then the people set out from Mount Hor taking the road to the Red Sea to go around Edom. Once again they began to complain to Moses about having nothing to eat and drink and they hated manna. So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them and many died from being bitten. The people knew God was punishing them for speaking against him and they asked Moses to pray that the snakes would be gone. The Lord told Moses to make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole and those who have been bitten will live if they simply look at it.

The Israelites traveled to Oboth and camped there. Then they went to lye-abarim, in the eastern wilderness of Moab. From there they traveled to the far side of the valley of Zered Brook and camped. Then they moved to the far side of the Arnon River next to the territory of the Amorites. From there they traveled to Beer which is where the Lord said to Moses, "Assemble the people and I will give them water." Then the Israelites left the wilderness and proceeded on through Mattanah, Nahaliel, and Bamoth and finally to the valley of Moab where Psgah Peak overlooks the wasteland.

Now the Israelites sent ambassadors to King Sihon of the Amorites asking to travel through their land. But he refused and instead attacked Israel in the wilderness. But this time, the Israelites slaughtered them and occupied their land only as far as the Ammonite border which was fortified.

So Israel captured all the towns of the Amorites and settled in them. They drove out the Amorites, then turned to march on Bashan, but the King had his people attack them. The lord told Moses not to be afraid of the king, for he had given them all his land. And after Israel became victorious, they killed the king and his sons and subjects and not a single survivor remained. Then Israel occupied their land.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW that it was not the snake on the pole that healed the people, but their won belief that God could heal them.In verse 34, God assured Moses that their enemy was conquered before the battle even began. We must remember that most of the old generation of Israelites has died and a new generation stood poised to conquer and settle the promised land.

How does this chapter relate to us today? The Israelites moved around and around,from camp to camp,finally believing in the power of Christ to assist them with winning their battles. We must find that strength to believe in him with undying faith and conviction in order for the Lord to help us and show us what steps to take. We must continue to trust that the Lord will take care of us.

Yours in Christ,
Mary