Big Idea: God protects his people from those determined to harm them.

Understanding the Text

In Numbers 21 the Israelites move out of the desert to the western edge of Canaan. They have passed around Edom and gone through Moab into territory north of Moab claimed by Amorites Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, whom they defeat. Though Israel has passed by Moab without attacking, Balak king of Moab feels vulnerable. Moreover, Sihon’s territory now occupied by Israel has previously been occupied by Moab (Num. 21:26), a source of resentment. Unable to confront Israel militarily, Balak seeks a Mesopotamian diviner, Balaam, to curse Israel instead (Num. 22:4–7).

Dennis Cole labels Numbers 20–25 as “Rebellion Cycle C,” in which Israel, Moses, and Aaron rebel against God’s commands (N…