What is the books of the wars of the Lord in Numbers 21:14? Is there a book like that? If so, where is it?
To answer that good question, let’s read Numbers 21:14-15, “Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon, And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.”
Nothing is known of this book but what appears here in this verse. There are a number of speculations about what is meant by this “book of the wars of the Lord.” We know relatively little about it. It is possible that this book was some sort of a book of remembrances and directions that was written by Moses for Joshua’s instruction for the management of the wars after him. We read in Exodus 17:14-16, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
I believe this thought has a great deal of validity. I see no reason to go on and on with speculations when we really do not have much information about this book. This does, however, remind us that the Lord has told us about several books that He uses to remind us of how He takes note of all things.
Psalm 56:8, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” The Lord takes note of all our sorrows. He puts our tears into a bottle and in His book. They are never forgotten.
Malachi 3:16, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” The Lord takes note of all our actions. Even to those who meditate upon the Lord, there is a book of remembrance.
Revelation 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” Here we have two different books. We are told about a book that contains record of every sin that an unbeliever has ever committed. The other book mentioned is the book of life, or book of living. It contains the name of every person that has ever existed.
Revelation 21:27, “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” This is the most important and glorious book! It contains the names of everyone who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The ‘Lamb’s book of life references Christ as “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29). I believe this is what Luke is referring to in Luke 10:20, “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Is your name written in Heaven? Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? Have you put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the savior of your sins? (388.6)