Signs of Hope and Faith
21:1 to 22:1
A major break in the narrative of Numbers occurs with Chapter 21. For the first time in this predominantly negative portion of the book, a positive tone is struck with the account of Isra’el’s first military victory over the Canaanite king of Arad. Ever since Chapter 11, Isra’el has repeatedly rebelled and resisted God’s commands, with the result that Ha’Shem had punished Isra’el with numerous plagues and military defeats. This negative portrait is abruptly interrupted by the positive conquest story in 21:1-3. This hopeful story is followed quickly by another rebellion, but ends up with those of faith looking on the bronze snake (to see link click Di – The Healing Snake), and then another positive conquest account of military triumphs over two kings, Sihon and Og, in 21:21 to 22:1.412
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