Like a rollercoaster, the Israelites' experiences with God are an up and down relationship! One day they get victory over their enemies and party it up big time, the next day they're complaining and feeling the heat of God's wrath. While Israel remains stubborn and rebellious, God is still faithful to them!Here's a few thoughts on today's reading:
If you want eternal life, you must look to Jesus! That's the story of the bronze snake is short!
Throughout Israel's journey to the Promised Land, the Lord had been providing for His people. He gave them the necessity, riches and victories over their enemies. However the Israelites were still quite ungrateful. Instead of giving thanks to God, they were looking to things to complain about. Their sin had caused God to send poisonous snakes out. Many people were bitten and died.
Those who were still alive begged Moses to pray for their healing. Moses did. The Lord told Moses to make a replica of a snake and attach it to a pole. Anyone who looked at it will live. Moses used bronze to make the replica. Thus the bronze snake.
What does that mean to us? The Israelites faced a serious problem due to their sins. Their problem was in the form of poisonous snakes attacking them. God told Moses to make a replica of the snake and attached it to a pole. In other words, a representation of the problem was at a pole. Why pole? So that it can be lifted up high. Many people will be able to see it. Anyone who looked at it will live while those who looked elsewhere will die.
What has that got to do with Jesus? The pole represents the Cross. When Jesus was crucified at the Cross, he was lifted up for all to see. When Jesus was at the Cross, he was like the bronze snake that Moses lifted up in the wilderness. Jesus even told us, "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man (Jesus) be lifted up." Jesus was speaking of His death on the cross and alluded to the bronze snake of Numbers 21.
Likewise today when we “look” to Jesus and accept His death on the cross for the atonement for our sins we are healed from the punishment of sin - eternal death in Hell. When He was crucified, all our sins were crucified with Him. To look at Jesus is to believe in Him. The result of that is eternal life!
2) If you want God's blessings, BLESS AND PRAY FOR ISRAEL! In Numbers 22-24 you read the story of Balak's great fear of the approaching Israeli army and his hiring of Balaam to curse Israel. While Balaam in some way used divination (24:1) to determine God's will, God did, in fact, speak to Balaam. Balaam, in 24:9, repeats what God told Abraham long ago "Blessed is everyone who blesses you, O Israel, and cursed is everyone who curses you!
That feeling God has for the nation of Israel is still true today! We ought to pray for Israel, especially that they realize that their Messiah (Jesus) has already come and that He stands with open arms ready to receive all who put their faith in Him!
Have a great day in the Lord!
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