The First Three Shepherds of Israel
by Pastor Don Elmore
October 26, 2014
Scripture Reading: Numbers 28:15-23
We are near the ending of the 40 years of wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness after their miraculous exodus from Egypt. It is almost time for them to cross the Jordan River and to do battle against the inhabitants of the Promised Land. They had already completely destroyed all of the Amorites who were living on the East portion of the Jordan River.
Israel was granted victories over King Sihon the Amorite (who is referred to as being the brother of King Og in other non-biblical sources) who had fought against the former King of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even to the Arnon River. Then they battled King Og, King of Bashan, who “was of the remnant of the giants” (Joshua 12:4b). Israel “…smote him and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land” (Numbers 21:35).