The Brazen Serpent

Prayer:

Father, forgive us when we complain. Help us to appreciate what you do for us.

The wingeing of the Children of Israel still continued even though God looked after them all their lives. He had protected them from their enemies and given them food (manna and quails) and water.

We're looking at Numbers 21 today, and if you read the first few verses, then you'll get a quick summary of what God was doing to keep them safe; he protected them from their enemies and allowed them to destroy the Canaanites, he gave them manna from heaven every day. And what did the children of Israel do?

They complained!

During their journey, God had looked after them so well that not even their clothes or sandals wore out. It seems like it's human nature to complain. We don't appreciate what we've got until it's gone (like the 70's song – which I can't remember the exact title of). If you remember from last week, all God had asked them to do was believe. They didn't.

This time God sent something which required belief to be saved. He sent 'fiery serpents'. Now I'm not entirely sure what was meant by 'fiery', but it probably meant that the venom's pain seemed to burn or the victim got a high temperature as a result. But unlike adders in this country the bite was fatal. (As a side issue, adder's bites are less toxic than bee stings)

God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Anyone who looked up at it would be saved. If you've seen artist's impressions of this, the serpent is nearly always hanging off a cross. This would seem sensible, but also points to an important lesson for us, as it refers to Jesus and to us.

There's a lot of parallels. Below are some for you to consider.

1. The people had to come and admit that had sinned and done wrong first
2. It required someone to approach God on the people's behalf
   - Moses for the Children of Israel, Jesus for us
3. It required action (to come to God) and faith
4. The means by which they could be saved was lifted up (on the cross)
5. We have to accept that there is someone higher than us, and we are not all important
6. Jesus was the one to 'bruise the head of the serpent' (Genesis 3:15)

Jesus knew the scriptures and he knew the importance to us -

John 3:14,15 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Questions:

Why was bronze used? (Think about what it was used for in building the articles for the tabernacle)

Why did God instruct Moses to make the serpent? He could easily have cured the people then and there.

How can we be saved?