From there they went to Beer, which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.” Then Israel sang this song:
“Spring up, O well!
All of you sing to it—
The well the leaders sank,
Dug by the nation’s nobles,
By the lawgiver, with their staves.”
Numbers 21:16-17 NKJV
Praise and worship were their turning point. Time and again throughout the wilderness wanderings, Israel grumbled and rebelled. They craved for meat (Num. 11). They challenged Moses’ (and God’s) leadership (Num. 12). They refused to enter God’s Promised Land (Num. 13-14). They questioned Aaron’s authority (Num. 16-18). And in many other ways. The result? Plagues and losses.
But here Israel followed God to the edge of the Promised Land. Finally, they are following in obedience. God said to gather together, and He would give them water. Instead of complaining about their thirst, they sang a song. After this they defeated all their enemies and entered the Promised Land! Their turn around began with praise and worship.
The application for our own lives is obvious. Grumbling and complaining brings nothing but plagues and losses. Praise and worship precede victory and contentment.
Yet, let’s not miss the other instruction. God said, “Gather the people together.” The promise of life (water) was made to the corporate body. There is power in unity. In times of pressure or defeat, join with a praising people. This is the place for your personal turn around.
I also want to pause a moment to look at the poetic language of the song they sang:
“Spring up, O Well!”
The well, the source of life, refers to God. They are finally acknowledging God as their source of life and declaring their trust in Him.
“All of you sing to it”
Again, there is power in unity. The promises of God are released when all worship Him.
“The well the leader sank,
Dug by the nation’s nobles.”
Finally, they are honoring Moses and Aaron instead of usurping their authority. God is pleased when we honor our leaders.
“By the lawgiver, with their staves.”
The lawgiver is God (Is. 33:22). Staves are the poles on which the priests carried the holy things of the Tabernacle. Their leaders sank the well of life in their community by continually carrying God’s presence among them. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to thank my pastors today for continually carrying God’s presence in our congregation. Amen!