Efforts to Possess Canaan
With Chapter 21 we see the beginning of the fight to possess the frontiers
of the land of Canaan. The armies of Israel, some 600,000, emerged out of the
wilderness to possess these lands.
Three encounters are recorded in Chapter 21.
- The first is with Arad, the Canaanite. It would appear that the
spies that Moses sent into Canaan 38 years before, went to and fro
without apparent notice. But after they had gone, the Canaanites
found out about it and they kept an eye on Israel from that point
on. For 38 years they must have observed their wanderings and
probably got word from the King of Edom that they were on their way,
so the King strikes first. He picks up some advance Israelites and
takes them prisoner. Israel vows to the Lord that if He would give
them the ability, they would go into Arad and destroy the cities.
God agreed and the cities and all the people were utterly destroyed.
- The second encounter was with Sihon, King of the Amorites. This
particular piece of ground had belonged to the Moabites, but the
Amorites had taken it from them some time before. As Israel
approached, they sent a messenger to King Sihon asking for
permission to pass through his land. The King refused and assembled
his army and came out against the Israelites. This resulted in the
Israelites defeating the Amorites and taking all that they had.
- The third encounter was with Og, King of Bashan. The Lord told
Moses, "Do not fear him for I will give him to you." So when King
Og came out to do battle, Israel slew him and all his sons and then
slew all the people and took all that they possessed including their
land.
Also in chapter 21, we have recorded the "murmurings" of a discontented
people. They asked, "Why have you brought us out into this wilderness to die?"
"We are getting tired of this "tasteless" food." God became angry with these
people and sent "fiery serpents" upon them and thousands died from snakebite.
The people repented and asked Moses to pray to God to take away the serpents.
Moses prayed and God granted him his request. He told Moses to make a bronze
serpent and put it
The Conquest of Canaan. It was Israel against Canaan, Good against evil, God
against Satan. The conquest was in 3 campaigns over a period of approx. 20
years.
- The First Campaign is recorded in Num. chapter 21. It consisted of
three encounters, all east of the Jordan River, and occurred approx.
1250 B.C.
- The Second Campaign is recorded in Josh. Chapters 2 through 10.
They record the capture of most of southern Canaan and occurred
approx. 1235 B.C.
- The Third Campaign is recorded in Josh. Chapter 11. It records the
capture of most of northern Canaan. It occurred approx. 1230 B.C.
In 1228 B.C., Joshua divided the land.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |