Chapter twenty-seven contains two parts: a new regulation and a new leader. As noted in the previous chapter, one of the men of Manasseh had five daughters but no sons. As the instructions for the parceling of the land were conveyed, they became concerned and approached Moses about it (Numbers 27:1-11). Their fear was that, […]
Chapters twenty-two through twenty-four contain another well-known story from Numbers: the account of Balak and Balaam. 1 In Numbers 21:26 we read that Sihon had defeated Moab. Now that Israel had defeated Sihon, the Moabites were naturally afraid that they could be next, so when Israel journeyed up the eastern border of Moab, Balak, their
Chapter twenty-one opens with a sad account revealing that the Canaanites were not interested in helping Israel any more than Edom was. As Israel tried another route into the land, they were attacked and some of them were taken prisoner (Numbers 21:1-3). Crying out to God, they asked for complete revenge, which God allowed. Choosing
