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Commentary on Numbers 21 verses 10–20
We have here an account of the several stages and removals of the children of Israel, till they came into the plains of Moab, out of which they at length passed over Jordan into Canaan, as we read in the beginning of Joshua. Natural motions are quicker the nearer they are to their centre. The Israelites were now drawing near to the promised rest, and now they set forward, as the expression is, Num 21:10. It were well if we would do thus in our way to heaven, rid ground in the latter end of our journey, and the nearer we come to heaven be so much the more active and abundant in the work of the Lord. Two things especially are observable in the brief account here given of these removals: -
1.The wonderful success which God blessed his people with, near the brooks of Arnon, Num 21:13-15. They had now compassed the land of Edom (which they were not to invade, nor so much as to disturb, Deu 2:4, Deu 2:5), and had come to the border of Moab. It is well that there are more ways than one to Canaan. The enemies of God's people may retard their passage, but cannot prevent their entrance into the promised rest. Care is taken to let us know that the Israelites in their march religiously observed the orders which God gave them to use no hostility against the Moabites (Deu 2:9), because they were the posterity of righteous Lot; therefore they pitched on the other side of Arnon (Num 21:13), that side which was now in the possession of the Amorites, one of the devoted nations, though formerly it had belonged to Moab, as appears here, Num 21:26, Num 21:27. This care of theirs not to offer violence to the Moabites is pleaded by Jephtha long afterwards, in his remonstrance against the Ammonites (Jdg 11:15, etc.), and turned to them for a testimony. What their achievements were, now that they pitched on the banks of the river Arnon, we are not particularly told, but are referred to the book of the wars of the Lord, perhaps that book which was begun with the history of the war with the Amalekites, Exo 17:14. Write it (said God) for a memorial in a book, to which were added all the other battles which Israel fought, in order, and, among the rest, their actions on the river Arnon, at Vaheb in Suphah (as our margin reads it) and other places on that river. Or, it shall be said (as some read it) in the rehearsal, or commemoration, of the wars of the Lord, what he did in the Red Sea, when he brought Israel out of Egypt, and what he did in the brooks of Arnon, just before he brought them into Canaan. Note, In celebrating the memorials of God's favours to us, it is good to observe the series of them, and how divine goodness and mercy have constantly followed us, even from the Red Sea to the brooks of Arnon. In every stage of our lives, nay, in every step, we should take notice of what God has wrought for us; what he did at such a time, and what in such a place, ought to be distinctly remembered.
2.The wonderful supply which God blessed his people with at Beer (Num 21:16), which signifies the well or fountain. It is said (Num 21:10) they pitched in Oboth, which signifies bottles, so called perhaps because there they filled their bottles with water, which should last them for some time; but by this time, we may suppose, it was with them as it was with Hagar (Gen 21:15), The water was spent in the bottle; yet we do not find that they murmured, and therefore God, in compassion to them, brought them to a well of water, to encourage them to wait on him in humble silence and expectation and to believe that he would graciously take cognizance of their wants, though they did not complain of them. In this world, we do at the best but pitch in Oboth, where our comforts lie in close and scanty vessels; when we come to heaven we shall remove to Beer, the well of life, the fountain of living waters. Hitherto we have found, when they were supplied with water, they asked it in unjust discontent, and God gave it in just displeasure; but here we find, (1.) That God gave it in love (Num 21:16): Gather the people together, to be witnesses of the wonder, and joint-sharers in the favour, and I will give them water. Before they prayed, God granted, and anticipated them with the blessings of his goodness. (2.) That they received it with joy and thankfulness, which made the mercy doubly sweet to them, Num 21:17. Then they sang this song, to the glory of God and the encouragement of one another, Spring up, O well! Thus they pray that it may spring up, for promised mercies must be fetched in by prayer; they triumph that it does spring up, and meet it with their joyful acclamations. With joy must we draw water out of the wells of salvation, Isa 11:3. As the brazen serpent was a figure of Christ, who is lifted up for our cure, so is this well a figure of the Spirit, who is poured forth for our comfort, and from whom flow to us rivers of living waters, Joh 7:38. Does this well spring up in our souls? We should sing to it; take the comfort to ourselves, and give the glory to God; stir up this gift, sing to it, Spring up, O well! thou fountain of gardens, to water my soul (Sol 4:15), plead the promise, which perhaps alludes to this story (Isa 41:17, Isa 41:18), I will make the wilderness wells of water. (3.) That whereas before the remembrance of the miracle was perpetuated in the names given to the places, which signified the people's strife and murmuring, now it was perpetuated in a song of praise, which preserved on record the manner in which it was done (Num 21:18): The princes digged the well, the seventy elders, it is probable, by direction of the lawgiver (that is, Moses, under God) with their staves; that is, with their staves they made holes in the soft and sandy ground, and God caused the water miraculously to spring up in the holes which they made. Thus the pious Israelites long afterwards, passing through the valley of Baca, a dry and thirsty place, made wells, and God by rain from heaven filled the pools, Psa 84:6. Observe, [1.] God promised to give them water, but the must open the ground to receive it, and give it vent. God's favours must be expected in the use of such means as lie within our power, but still the excellency of the power is of God. [2.] The nobles of Israel were forward to set their hands to this work, and used their staves, probable those that were the ensigns of their honour and power, for the public service, and it is upon record to their honour. And we may suppose that it was a great confirmation to them in their offices, and a great comfort to the people, that they were made use of by the divine power as instruments to this miraculous supply. By this it appeared that the spirit of Moses, who must shortly die, rested in some measure upon the nobles of Israel. Moses did not strike the ground himself, as formerly the rock, but gave them direction to do it, that their staves might share in the honour of his rod, and they might comfortably hope that when he should leave them yet God would not, but that they also in their generation should be public blessings, and might expect the divine presence with them as long as they acted by the direction of the lawgiver. For comfort must be looked for only in the way of duty; and, if we would share in divine joys, we must carefully follow the divine direction.
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SUMMARY
Numbers 21:16 marks a pivotal moment in the Israelites' wilderness journey, detailing their arrival at Beer, a location whose name profoundly signifies "well." This verse uniquely highlights God's sovereign and proactive provision of water for His people, not as a reaction to their complaints, but as a direct, unprompted promise to Moses. It powerfully underscores the LORD's unwavering faithfulness and His steadfast commitment to sustaining Israel as they continued their arduous trek towards the Promised Land, unequivocally demonstrating His character as their ultimate and benevolent Provider.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Numbers 21:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Direct Discourse is central to the verse, as it explicitly quotes the LORD's words to Moses ("Gather the people together, and I will give them water"). This direct speech imbues God's promise with undeniable authority and immediacy, emphasizing His personal involvement and divine initiative. The use of Place-Name Significance is also highly prominent; the location "Beer" literally means "well" in Hebrew, creating a powerful and immediate connection between the name of the place and the miraculous divine provision that occurs there. This serves as a form of Symbolism, where the physical location itself becomes a tangible testament to God's faithfulness and His life-giving power. Furthermore, the verse functions as a Divine Promise, a declarative statement from God that guarantees a future action, building anticipation and highlighting the unfailing nature of His word. The subtle Juxtaposition with previous water narratives (where Israel's complaints often preceded provision) further underscores God's proactive grace in this particular instance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 21:16 stands as a profound testament to the character of God as the faithful, proactive, and sovereign Provider. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's commitment to His people extends far beyond their merits or complaints, often manifesting as unprompted grace and foresight. This incident underscores the truth that YHWH is not merely a reactive deity, but one who intimately foresees the needs of His beloved and meticulously prepares the way for their sustenance. The miraculous provision of water in the wilderness is a recurring motif throughout the Pentateuch, symbolizing God's life-giving presence, His covenant faithfulness, and His ability to sustain life in the most barren and challenging circumstances, a theme that resonates deeply with the spiritual sustenance He continually offers His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 21:16 offers a timeless and deeply encouraging message of hope and assurance for believers today. In our own "wilderness" experiences—whether they are times of scarcity, profound uncertainty, spiritual dryness, or overwhelming challenges—this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately aware of our needs and remains our ultimate and unfailing Provider. It calls us to cultivate a posture of trust, grateful anticipation, and patient waiting rather than anxious complaint, for God often acts with proactive grace, providing even before we fully articulate our need or recognize His impending intervention. The divine command to Moses to "Gather the people together" also highlights the profound importance of community, corporate worship, and unity; God often chooses to pour out His blessings and strengthen His people when they are united in faith, obedience, and shared purpose. This passage compels us to recognize God's unwavering faithfulness in every circumstance, to trust implicitly in His sovereign provision, and to remember that His grace is always sufficient to sustain us through every journey and trial of life.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the place name "Beer" in this verse?
Answer: The name "Beer" (בְּאֵר, bᵉʼêr, H875) is profoundly significant because it literally means "well" or "pit" in Hebrew. This direct translation highlights the immediate and tangible nature of God's provision. The location itself becomes a testament to the miracle, as the Israelites arrive at a place named "Well" precisely when God promises to give them water. It underscores God's intentionality, His specific planning, and the direct fulfillment of His word, effectively making the place a living monument to His sustaining power in the wilderness. This divine naming and provision at Beer contrasts with other locations where water was a problem, emphasizing God's deliberate and gracious act.
How does God's provision of water here differ from previous instances in the wilderness?
Answer: This instance in Numbers 21:16 is distinct because God's promise to provide water is notably proactive and unprompted by the Israelites' complaints. In earlier accounts, such as at Rephidim (see Exodus 17:1-7) or Kadesh (see Numbers 20:1-13), the lack of water often led to severe murmuring, rebellion, and even testing of the LORD from the people, often resulting in Moses striking the rock. Here, the LORD speaks directly to Moses, commanding him to "Gather the people together," and declares, "I will give them water," before any complaint or demand is recorded. This highlights God's abundant grace, His sovereign initiative, and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, demonstrating His faithfulness even when His people are not expressing their need through complaint.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 21:16, with its vivid depiction of God's proactive provision of life-sustaining water in the desolate wilderness, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the physical well at Beer quenched the Israelites' literal thirst and sustained their earthly journey, Jesus declares Himself to be the inexhaustible source of "living water" that eternally satisfies spiritual thirst. In His encounter with the Samaritan woman, Jesus reveals, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water" (John 4:10). Later, at the climactic Feast of Tabernacles, He issues an open invitation, crying out, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" (John 7:37-38). The wilderness journey of Israel, marked by their absolute dependence on God for daily sustenance and life, powerfully foreshadows the spiritual journey of all believers who are utterly dependent on Christ for their spiritual life, sustenance, and eternal salvation. He is the ultimate "well" from which all true life and spiritual refreshment flow, providing grace, forgiveness, and eternal life that truly satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart, far surpassing any temporary physical provision (as further illuminated by His declaration in John 6:35).