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.” (Numbers 21:16-17)
The Hebrew word Be’er is literally interpreted as “the well” as opposed to just any well. In ensuing verses, it would seem that this well was excavated by no less than the nobles of the people, including — it would seem — Moses and Aaron. One Jewish commentator described it as a “gift from the wilderness” meant to inspire them to believe and trust even though they were in an environment that didn’t offer much hope. In fact, God’s gift to them inspired them to break out into song that celebrated the water in the desert.
Of course, there had been other times when God had provided water for them, most notably, the Rock in the wilderness — the Rock that we understand, by way of Paul’s writings, to be the Messiah. And so then, should we not conclude that this well was also intended to point us to God’s provision and salvation through the Messiah? In other words, Yeshua is the gift presented to us when there was no hope.
In light of this, we will close with this passage from Isaiah which also celebrates water that issues from a very special well. “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation [Yeshua]. Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation [Yeshua]” (Isaiah 12:2-3).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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