Journey of the Israelites (Part VI)

Lesson Content

Mount Hor to Moab

1. Mount Hor: (Num.20:22) — Aaron died here. Before his death, his son Eleazar was clothed with his garments. The people mourned for Aaron for thirty days (vs.27-29). Mount Hor symbolizes prayer life, because Moses was in the presence of God on the mount. They journeyed from mount Hor and had to compass the land of Edom as the king of Edom did not allow them to pass through his land. The people were much discouraged because of the way and they murmured for food. Go d sent fiery serpents in their midst which bit many and they died. Since the people repented, Moses prayed for them. According to the counsel of the Lord, Moses raised up a brazen serpent which when the people looked on, they were healed (Num.21:4-9). Similarly, anyone who looks unto Jesus Who was lifted up on the cross and believes in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life (Jn.3:14,15).

2. Plains of Moab: (Num.22:1) — The children of Israel overcame Og, the king of Bashan and Sihon, the king of the Amorites and possessed their lands (Num.21:33,34). After this they set forward and came into the plains of Moab. As long as they preserved a life of separation, as a people who dwelt alone, not mingling with the nations, God was with them (Num.23:9) and

(i) they were as a people without iniquity or perverseness (vs.21). (ii) they had the shout of a king in their midst (vs.21). (iii) they had the strength of a unicorn (vs.22). (iv) there could be no enchantment or divination against them (vs.23). Thus they were as the goodly tabernacles of God (Num.24:5,6). Though Balaam was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the children of Israel, he could not do so. Then Balaam taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit fornication (Num.25:1; Rev.2:14). Since they failed to take heed of this, they brought the curse of God upon themselves.

We are the temple of God and we are exhorted to be separate and not to touch anything unclean, so that God might be our God and we might be His people (II Cor.6:16,17). Moses went upto Mount Nebo which was in the mountain of Abarim. However, from there he was denied entry into the land of Canaan and was only allowed to view the land (Deut.32:49,50,52). This was because of his trespass against the Lord at the waters of Meribah. We must make sure of our calling and election so that we might receive abundant entry into the everlasting kingdom of God (II Pet.1:10,11).

Moral

We should be followers of th em who through faith and patience inherit the promises and work out our salvation with fear and trembling, and show the same diligence unto the end.