Chapter 21

21:3  And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

Hormah

i.e. utter destruction.

21:9  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

serpent

(See Scofield "Genesis 3:14") . The serpent is a symbol of sin judged; brass speaks of the divine judgment, as in the brazen altar See Scofield " Exodus 27:1 ", note (2) and self-judgment, as in the laver of brass. The brazen serpent is a type of Christ "made sin for us" ; John 3:14 John 3:15 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 in bearing our judgment. Historically, the moment is indicated in the cry: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46 .

21:17  Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

Then Israel

The spiritual order here is beautiful:

(1) atonement Numbers 21:8 Numbers 21:9 ; John 3:14 John 3:15

(2) water, symbol of the Spirit bestowed Numbers 21:16 ; John 7:37-39 .

(3) joy Numbers 21:17 Numbers 21:18 ; Romans 14:17 .

(4) power Numbers 21:21-24 .