“And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.”
This verse is found in the book of Numbers, which is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. It primarily focuses on the Israelites’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses.
In Numbers 21:2, we witness the Israelites making a vow to the Lord. To understand the context, it’s essential to look at the preceding events.
The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for a long time, and they grew weary and discouraged. They had been faced with various challenges and had complained against God and Moses multiple times.
In the preceding verses, Numbers 21:1-3, we see the king of Arad, a Canaanite king, launching an attack against the Israelites and taking some of them captive. However, the Israelites cried out to the Lord, repenting of their sinful complaints, and sought His intervention.
Verse 2 specifically mentions their vow to the Lord. They vowed that if God would deliver the Canaanite people into their hands, they would completely destroy their cities. This vow expressed their deep desire for victory and their commitment to carry out God’s will. It demonstrated their trust in God’s power and their willingness to obey Him.
It’s important to note that this vow should be understood within the historical and cultural context of ancient warfare. Complete destruction of enemy cities was a common practice during that time.
The Israelites, being surrounded by various nations that practiced idolatry and other sinful behaviors, were instructed by God to utterly destroy those nations to avoid being enticed by their practices and to establish a pure worship of the Lord in the Promised Land.
However, as we continue reading the Bible, we find that the Israelites did not always fulfill their vows and promises to the Lord. Their commitment to obey God wavered, and they faced consequences for their disobedience.
Overall, Numbers 21:2 highlights the Israelites’ desire for victory and their acknowledgment of God’s power in delivering them. It also reveals their commitment to fulfilling their vow to God by destroying the Canaanite cities.
This verse serves as a reminder for us to be faithful in our commitments to God and to trust in His strength and guidance.
