Hey Bible readers, I'm Tara Lee Cobble, and I'm your host for the Bible recap.

There are two things in today's reading that have perplexed me over the years, and I'm

excited to talk about them with you.

We're closing it on the Promised Land, but there are still a few people from the old generation

that disbelieved God, so we know they can't enter yet.

Today the people continue toward Canaan carefully routing around Edom since the King of Edom

has denied them passage.

Unfortunately they run into another king who pounces on them and takes some of their people

captive.

Going on the defense, Israel asks God for help and promises to destroy the pagan cities

of these Canaanites if God will help them win, and God did.

As they continue on, they hit another food and water shortage.

So instead of asking God for help, like they know they can, they complain about Moses

and God.

They don't complain to Moses just about him.

They take their problems to everyone except the people who can solve them.

But even though they're not talking to God, God hears.

And he sends some snakes to kill them, which seems to fit with his plan to wipe out the

older generation.

When the people confess and repent, realizing their sin for what it is, Moses prays for

them and God shows mercy.

God tells Moses to make a fiery serpent on a pole, and if anyone is bitten, they can look

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