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The morbid atmosphere of ch. 20 gives way to a more optimistic atmosphere in ch. 21. There the rebellion of Moses and Aaron (vv.1-13, 22-29) ringed an account of confrontation with the enemy (vv.14-21). Here the account of Israel’s victory over the Canaanite king of Arad (vv.1-3) and over Sihon and Og (vv.10-35) encloses the narration of another rebellion by Israel (vv.4-9). This is the first time a positive note has been struck since 10:11 (since leaving Sinai).
There are two distinct patterns within these stories of murmuring (cf. 20:1-13 with 21:4-9). In the first there is an initial need (20:2) followed by a complaint (v.3), then by Moses' intercession (v.6), which results in God’s meeting the need by miraculous provision (20:11). In the second there is an initial complaint (21:4b-5) followed by God’s anger and punishment (v.6), then by Moses' intercession (v.7), and finally by a reprieve of the punishment (v.9). In the first pattern there is a genuine need (“there was no water,” 20:2). In the second there is no genuine need (the people grew impatient, 21:4).
The people’s confession, We sinned (v.7) and their request for the Lord to remove the venomous snakes recalls similar talk by Pharaoh to Moses about the plagues (Ex 8:8; 9:27-28). God’s provision of a bronze snake as therapy for the condemned was a type of another provision of God for the eternally condemned (Jn 3:14-15).
The largest portion of this chapter covers Israel’s defeat of Sihon, king of the Amorites, and of Og, king of Bashan (vv.10-35). Of interest is the total absence of Moses from the confrontation of vv.21-31. This story is adjacent to the incident at the rock for which Moses is to be punished. The silence about Moses' role in 21:21ff. may be a reflection of that episode. Moses will, accordingly, have only a minimal role to play in leading Israel any further to Canaan.