A serpent problem solved.
July 1, 2019
Commentary
ALife often becomes like a gymnasium or a battlefield (II Tim. 2:1-5), where we must exercise our faith and develop strong spiritual muscles for running the race of life. This truth is well illustrated in this chapter where God’s care and discipline of His people is so evident. The Jews had just completed their mourning over Aaron’s death (20:28) and the priestly clothing was removed from Aaron and placed on his son Eleazar. Now the Israelites were facing their first battle with the Canaanites who had captured some of the Israelites. The Israelites vowed to destroy the Canaanites and their cities if the Lord would give them victory. Keep in mind that the Canaanite culture was unspeakably wicked, especially their religious practices, and God wanted these nations removed from the earth.
The Israelites were discouraged because of the route taken around Edom (v. 4). They spoke out against Moses and God by doubting God’s deliverance. They began to think that they had been led into the wilderness to die instead of holding to the promise of the “Promised Land,” denying God’s ability they focused on the lack of bread and water and not on the awesome power of God to provide such things. Despising God’s provision of the manna and the quail, they hated what God had given to sustain them (v. 5). Because of their complaining and speaking against Moses, God sent “fiery serpents” (poisonous snakes) to punish the people for their unbelief and complaining. Both the Israelites and Egyptians had a great fear of snakes (vv. 6-9). A bite by a poisonous snake often meant a slow death. God provided a way for them to turn from the curse of death and look to the bronze serpent – look to God instead of their reality – and then they were healed.
Application
We have been stung by sin and are under the curse of death. It is in this condition of sin that I must approach the empty tomb of Jesus. Just as the uplifted serpent was the only cure in the camp, Jesus Christ is the only Savior for sinners in this world (John 14:6).
Numbers 21:1– 9 (NET)
1 When the Canaanite king of Arad who lived in the Negev heard that Israel was approaching along the road to Atharim, he fought against Israel and took some of them prisoner.
2 So Israel made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into our hand, then we will utterly destroy their cities.” 3 The Lord listened to the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites, and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. So the name of the place was called Hormah.
4 Then they traveled from Mount Hor by the road to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom, but the people became impatient along the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness, for there is no bread or water, and we detest this worthless food.”
6 So the Lord sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people; many people of Israel died. 7 Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord that he would take away the snakes from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a poisonous snake and set it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, so that if a snake had bitten someone, when he looked at the bronze snake he lived.