Números 21:3 Midrash: Mekhilta d'Rabbi Yishmael

"And they were exceedingly afraid, etc.": whereupon they "embraced the trade" (prayer) of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham — (Genesis 12:8) "… Beth-el on the west and Ai on the east, and he built there an altar to the L rd, and he called in the name of the L rd." Isaac — (Ibid. 24:63) "And Isaac went out lasuach in the field," "sichah" being prayer, as in (Psalms 55:18) "Evening, morning, and noon asichah and moan, and He has heard my voice," and (Ibid. 14:2-3) "With my voice I cry out to the L rd. I pour out before Him sichi. I tell my trouble before Him, etc.", and (Ibid. 102:1) "A prayer of the afflicted one when he faints, and before the L rd pours forth sicho." Jacob — (Genesis 28:11) "Vayifga in the place and he spent the night there, for the sun had set, "pegiyah" being prayer, as in (Jeremiah 7:16) "And you (Jeremiah), do not pray for this people, and do not raise for them song and prayer, and (do) not tifga bi," and (Ibid. 27:17) "Yifgu na ('Let them now pray') to the L rd of hosts that the vessels which remain in the house of the L rd, etc." And thus is it written (Isaiah 41:14) "Fear not, O worm of Jacob, men of Israel." Just as a worm smites a cedar only with its mouth, so, Israel has recourse only to prayer. And it is written (Genesis 48:22) "And I (Jacob) have given to you an additional portion over your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Emori with my sword and with my bow." Now did he take it with his sword and his bow? __ "my sword" is prayer. My bow ("bekashti") is (my) supplication ("bakashati"). And thus is it written (Genesis 49:9) "A lion's whelp is Judah" (Just as a lion's power is in his mouth, so, the power of Judah [i.e., prayer].) And it is written (Devarim 33:7) "And this is for Judah … Hear, O L rd, the voice (i.e., the prayers) of Judah." And thus did Jeremiah say (Jeremiah 17:5) "Cursed is the man who trusts in man." And what is said of prayer? (Ibid. 7) "Blessed is the man who trusts in the L rd, and the L rd will be his trust" — when they pray to Him and he is close to them, viz. (Psalms 145:18) "Close is the L rd to all who call upon Him." And thus did David say to Goliath (I Samuel 17:45) "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin — but I come to you with the name of the L rd of hosts, the G d of Israel." And it is written (Psalms 20:8-10) "These with chariots and these with horses; but we, in the name of the L rd our G d will call. They knelt and they fell, but we rose and gained courage. O L rd, save! The King will answer us on the day that we call." And thus is it written (II Chronicles 14:10) "And Assa called to the L rd his G d and he said: 'O L rd, there is none but You to help both the many and the powerless. Heed, O L rd our G d, for upon You did we rely and in Your name have we come against this great throng. O L rd our G d, let no man be throned with You.'" What is written of Moses? (Numbers 20:14-16) "And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom … And our fathers went down to Egypt … and He hearkened to our voice." He (the king of Edom) said to them (the messengers): You take pride in what your father Isaac bequeathed to you — (Genesis 27:22) "The voice is the voice of Jacob", (Numbers 21:3) "And the L rd hearkened to the voice of Israel" — and we take pride in what our father Isaac bequeathed to us — (Genesis, Ibid.) "and the hands are the hands of Esav", (Ibid. 40) "and by your sword will you live." As it is written (Numbers 20:18) "And Edom said to him: Do not pass through me, lest I go out against you with the sword," their trust being only in the sword. But Israel embraced the "trade" (prayer) of their fathers, the trade of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.