Sunday 17th September
Read Numbers 21:1-3
“When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. 2 Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: ‘If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.’ 3 The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.” (NIVUK)
Things begin to turn around for Israel. They return to Hormah, the place they were ignominiously defeated when they disobeyed Yahweh and tried to enter the land (Numbers 14:45), and they find victory. It seems the difference is related to their vow.
The vow concerns a promise of ‘herem’, or total destruction, and causes no end of consternation to modern readers. There is no easy way to explain ‘herem’ and its place in Israelite worship and practice in a short devotion. Those interested in understanding its importance could profitably read ‘Flood and Fury’, a recently published book by Matthew Lynch. But amongst the things to consider is that ‘herem’ is often associated with defensive battles, involves kings (often aligned with Egypt) and a conscious turning away from selfish gain and towards Yahweh. The vow they offer, with no hint of gain for themselves, is the true and right response to what Yahweh has done for them. There is no looking back to Egypt at all.
“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:11-14) (NIVUK)
