Dear Jim,
Numbers 20:13-21 has the Israelites asking for permission to pass through Edom
to get to the Promised Land, but Edom refused. Edom was south of the Dead Sea
and the Zered. South of Edom near Elath and to the East and Southeast was
Midian at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba.
Numbers 21:10-20 narrates the movement of the Israelites around the East Jordan
area: i.e. The Arnon, Zered Valley around the land of Moab.
Numbers 21:21-32 narrates the attempt of the Israelites to pass through the
Amorites territory, but were rebuffed and had to fight against the Amorite
king, Sihon, and defeat him. The ancient Kingdom of Heshbon.
Numbers 21:32-35 is the summary statement and command of God to possess the
land of the Amorites.
It should also be remembered that the Edom was spared, but Moab, Heshbon
(formerly part of Moab) and Ammon was given by God to the Israelites.
In each of the above incidents, the Israelites were following the ancient roads
around the countries mentioned above. Furthermore, Balak in Numbers 22-25
tries to curse the Israelites through Balaam, but that did not work. You will
notice that Balak had Moabite and Midian elders try to purchase Balaam to curse
the Israelites. This gives even more credence to the story that Midian is near
the Dear Sea since it was the Israelites who put to death all the inhabitants
of Midian after the "Sin of Baal-Peor" (Numbers 25). It does not make any sense
for the Israelites to travel over 300 + miles to destroy the inhabitants of
Mitanni (if Midian is Mitanni; which it is not) when the scene of the crime
with Balaam is near Jericho where the batttle againt Og, Sihon and Balak had
occurred.
Rev. Bryant J. Williams III
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