Numbers Chapter 21 Bible Study: The Bronze Serpent and Israel’s Victories

The First Victory: A Vow Fulfilled at Hormah

Numbers chapter 21 marks a pivotal transition in the Israelites’ journey. The narrative shifts from the internal struggles and complaints of the previous chapters to a renewed focus on God’s power and Israel’s conquest of their enemies. The chapter begins with an account of the king of Arad, a Canaanite living in the Negeb, who attacked the Israelites, taking some of them captive. This unprovoked assault stirred a different kind of response from the people. Instead of complaining to God, they made a solemn vow to the Lord. The vow, or herem in Hebrew, was an act of complete dedication. They promised that if God would give them victory over their enemies, they would utterly destroy the cities and their inhabitants, consecrating the spoil entirely to the Lord. This vow was a return to faithfulness, a sign that the people were once again willing to trust in God’s power and align their will with His. The Lord heard their vow and granted them a decisive victory. As a result, the place was named Hormah, which means “devotion” or “utter destruction,” a permanent memorial to their vow and God’s faithfulness in answering their prayer. This initial victory set the stage for the rest of the chapter, demonstrating that God was with them when they acted in faith and obedience. This event stands in stark contrast to their previous rebellions and foreshadows the military successes to come.

The People’s Murmuring and the Fiery Serpents

Following their victory, the Israelites resumed their journey, bypassing the land of Edom. The route was long and difficult, and the people’s patience quickly wore thin. Their faith, though recently renewed, was shallow. They once again began to complain against God and Moses, saying, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food” (Numbers 21:5). This was a severe act of ungratefulness and a rejection of God’s daily, miraculous provision. The manna, which had sustained them for decades, was now dismissed as “worthless.” Their words were not just an expression of hardship; they were a direct insult to God’s gracious care. The Lord’s response was a swift and terrifying judgment: He sent fiery serpents among the people. The word “fiery” (saraph) likely refers to the burning sensation of the venom from the snakebites. Many Israelites were bitten and died. This was a direct consequence of their rebellious hearts, a tangible result of their words that were “like fire” in their contempt for God’s provision. The judgment, though severe, served to bring the people to a place of repentance. They confessed their sin to Moses, saying, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you” (Numbers 21:7).

The Bronze Serpent: A Type of Christ

Upon hearing the people’s confession, Moses interceded for them. God, in His mercy, provided a means of salvation. He commanded Moses to make a fiery serpent and put it on a pole. The Lord declared, “Everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live” (Numbers 21:8). Moses obeyed, crafting a serpent of bronze and placing it on a pole. The process was simple but profound: all the people had to do was look at the bronze serpent to be healed. The act of looking was an act of faith. It was not the bronze itself that had power, but the obedience and trust in God’s provision that it represented. The very symbol of their affliction was now the means of their salvation. This event serves as one of the most powerful and explicit types of Christ in the Old Testament. Centuries later, Jesus himself would refer to this very story in His conversation with Nicodemus: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). Just as the Israelites were dying from a fiery serpent’s venom (a symbol of sin’s deadly power) and had to look at a bronze serpent on a pole to be saved, humanity is dying from the venom of sin and must look to Jesus, who was lifted up on a cross, to be saved. The bronze serpent, a symbol of sin’s judgment, points directly to Christ, who became sin for us on the cross, taking our judgment so that we might have life. The simple act of looking with faith, in both cases, is the key to salvation.

The Journey Resumes: Songs of the Wilderness

Following the harrowing incident with the serpents, the Israelites’ journey continued. The narrative includes a list of various encampments, marking the stages of their progress toward the Jordan River. Amidst these geographical details are two short poetic passages, or “songs,” that serve to break up the historical record and provide insight into the people’s mindset. The first is the “Song of the Well” (Numbers 21:17-18). When the Israelites came to a well, they sang, “Spring up, O well! Sing to it!” This song of celebration and gratitude for water shows a moment of joyful praise and a renewed appreciation for God’s provision. It is a stark contrast to their previous complaints about a lack of water. The second is the “Song of Heshbon,” a poetic record of their victory over Sihon, king of the Amorites. The inclusion of these songs highlights the importance of worship and remembering God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of a long and challenging journey. They serve as a reminder that the Israelites were not just a marching army but a community of faith, whose experiences were recorded not only in prose but also in songs of praise and triumph.

The Victory over Sihon, King of the Amorites

The Israelites’ journey led them to the border of the Amorite kingdom. Moses sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, with a peaceful request: “Let me pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard. We will drink no water from a well. We will go along the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory” (Numbers 21:22). This diplomatic request was respectful and showed a desire to avoid conflict. However, Sihon refused their request and instead gathered his army to attack them. This act of aggression justified a military response from Israel. The Lord gave Israel a decisive victory over Sihon, and they captured all of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok. This victory was significant because it secured a large, fertile territory on the eastern side of the Jordan River. The victory was a direct fulfillment of God’s promise to give His people victory over their enemies. The “Song of Heshbon,” which is included in this section, celebrates this triumph, declaring that fire came out of Heshbon and consumed the city of Sihon.

The Conquest of Bashan and the Defeat of King Og

The final event of Numbers 21 is the conquest of Bashan, a kingdom ruled by a formidable king named Og. When Og came out to fight Israel, the Lord gave a specific promise to Moses: “Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand, and all his people, and all his land” (Numbers 21:34). This divine assurance was crucial, as Og was a giant, an intimidating figure whose bed was said to be over thirteen feet long (Deuteronomy 3:11). God’s instruction to “do to him as you did to Sihon” gave Israel the confidence to face this new enemy. God’s promise was fulfilled, and the Israelites completely defeated Og, his sons, and his people, leaving no survivors. They took possession of his land, securing the entire territory east of the Jordan for their future settlement. This final victory in the chapter solidified Israel’s military dominance and demonstrated God’s unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even against the most fearsome of enemies.

Theological Themes and Lessons from Chapter 21

Numbers 21 is a chapter of stark contrasts and profound theological truths.

• The Sin of Unfaithfulness: The people’s repeated complaining and ungratefulness serve as a powerful warning against the sin of discontent. It shows that even in the midst of God’s miraculous provision, a grumbling heart can lead to severe consequences. This is a lesson echoed in 1 Corinthians 10:10, where Paul warns, “Nor grumble, as some of them did—and were destroyed by the destroyer.”
• The Balance of Judgment and Mercy: The judgment of the fiery serpents was a direct result of the people’s sin. However, God’s mercy was immediately available through the bronze serpent. This shows that God is both a righteous judge who will not tolerate sin and a compassionate savior who provides a way of escape.
• Faith as the Key to Salvation: The simple act of looking at the bronze serpent with faith was the means of salvation. This is a timeless principle that finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament. Salvation is not earned by works but is received by a simple act of faith in Christ, who was “lifted up” on the cross.
• God’s Faithfulness in Conquest: The victories over Sihon and Og were not won by Israel’s might but by God’s power. These battles serve as a reminder that God fights for His people and will grant them victory over their spiritual and physical enemies when they are obedient and faithful.

Cross-References and Connections to the New Testament

• John 3:14-15: This is the most direct and crucial cross-reference in the chapter. Jesus explicitly compares his crucifixion to the lifting up of the bronze serpent. He explains that just as looking at the serpent brought physical life, believing in him brings eternal life. This verse validates the bronze serpent as a prefigurement of Christ.
• John 12:32: Jesus says, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” This further connects the act of being “lifted up” to his drawing of humanity to salvation, a direct parallel to the healing power of the lifted serpent.
• Deuteronomy 8:3: Moses reminds the people that the purpose of the manna was to teach them “that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” The Israelites’ rejection of the manna was a rejection of this core lesson.
• Hebrews 12:1-2: The command to “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,” is the New Testament equivalent of looking at the bronze serpent. It is a call to fix our eyes on Christ for our salvation and perseverance.