The Israelites were coming close to the end of their 40 years of wandering. They were going to be coming to the eastern border of the Promised Land, just along side the Jordan River. But to get there, they had to pass through the land that belonged to the descendants of Esau.
Numbers 20:14a, 17 - And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.
Moses was asking very nicely. He said they would stay on the main road, and they would buy anything that they needed.
Numbers 20:20-21- And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand. Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.
God didn't want the children of Israel to have to fight the Edomites. Neither did Moses. The children of Israel turned and went another way.
The Edomites didn't fight with Israel, but another king thought that he could win in a battle against them, and he came out with a great army.
Numbers 21:1- And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.
He took some of them as his prisoners. This upset the Israelites. They knew that needed God's help to defeat this evil man. So, they made a promise to God.
Numbers 21:2-3- And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
The Israelites said they would destroy all the wicked people and their cities. You see, their cities had idols, and wicked pictures, and things that the children of Israel shouldn't have around. God didn't want the children of Israel to be tempted by these things, and it pleased Him that they were willing to destroy the wicked things.
God helped them to win the battle, and they kept their promise to God.
The Israelites were trying to make their way to the Promised Land without harming anyone. But, there were just some people who didn't care!
Numbers 21:21-22- And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.
Again, Moses sent and asked if they could pass along the highway. He said they would pay for anything they needed and wouldn't bother anyone. But this king didn't want to let them pass either.
Numbers 21:23- And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.
You would think that, after hearing about the defeat of the King Arad, this King Sihon would think twice about attacking. But no!
Numbers 21:24-45- And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.
God, again, helped the Israelites. These wandering Hebrew nomads were learning how to be a mighty army.
Numbers 21:32-35- And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there. And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei. And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon. So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
Moses was getting good at tactical commands. Joshua was learning how to be the General of an army. And the Israelites were obtaining the first part of their Promised Land.
