10 The People of Israel set out and camped at Oboth. 11 They left Oboth and camped at Iye Abarim in the wilderness that faces Moab on the east. 12 They went from there and pitched camp in the Zered Valley. 13 Their next camp was alongside the Arnon River, which marks the border between Amorite country and Moab. 14 The Book of the Wars of God refers to this place: Waheb in Suphah, the canyons of Arnon; 15 Along the canyon ravines that lead to the village Ar And lean hard against the border of Moab. 16 They went on to Beer (The Well), where God said to Moses, "Gather the people; I'll give them water." 17 That's where Israel sang this song: Erupt, Well! Sing the Song of the Well, 18 the well sunk by princes, Dug out by the peoples' leaders digging with their scepters and staffs. 19 to Nahaliel to Bamoth (The Heights) 20 to the valley that opens into the fields of Moab from where Pisgah (The Summit) rises and overlooks Jeshimon (Wasteland).
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 21:10-20
Commentary on Numbers 21:10-20
(Read Numbers 21:10-20)
We have here the removes of the children of Israel, till they came to the plains of Moab, from whence they passed over Jordan into Canaan. The end of their pilgrimage was near. "They set forward." It were well if we did thus; and the nearer we come to heaven, were so much the more active and abundant in the work of the Lord. The wonderful success God granted to his people, is here spoken of, and, among the rest, their actions on the river Arnon, at Vaheb in Suphah, and other places on that river. In every stage of our lives, nay, in every step, we should notice what God has wrought for us; what he did at such a time, and what in such a place, ought to be distinctly remembered. God blessed his people with a supply of water. When we come to heaven, we shall remove to the well of life, the fountain of living waters. They received it with joy and thankfulness, which made the mercy doubly sweet. With joy must we draw water out of the wells of salvation, John 7:38,39. Does this well spring up in our souls? If so, we should take the comfort to ourselves, and give the glory to God. God promised to give water, but they must open the ground. God's favours must be expected in the use of such means as are within our power, but still the power is only of God.