This odd chapter contains three accounts of Israel conquering land from different kings who opposed them, as well as a song about a well (don’t ask me, I have no idea why this is in here…). There’s also this important section which is full of foreshadowing:
“From Mount Hor they set out… And the people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.’ Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And 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 take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” (v4-9 abr)
If you are counting (which I’m sure you are, haha) this is the ninth time Israel has spoken “against Moses” and stated something similar to “we were better off in Egypt”. The worst part is, the new generation is more impudent than the previous (most of whom would have died by this point) and they speak out directly against God (the previous generation only directly confronting Moses, God’s representative). God decides to nip this in the bud and send venomous snakes which bite and kill many of the rebellious Israelites.
Isn’t it unfortunate how often we only recognize our sin after experiencing the consequences? Wouldn’t it be ideal to not sin, and not experience the consequences? When will we ever learn? Clearly Israel has made this same mistake nine times. There are definitely times I feel like I’m stuck in a vicious cycle – I just can’t stop making the same mistake (for example I’m good at talking without thinking first, which is why I prefer writing instead [more time to process/edit what I’m communicating]).
Thankfully, God always provides a way for us to reconcile our sinning against Him – in this scenario He had Moses make a bronze serpent on a pole. (Side note: I believe this is the origin of the Greek “Rod of Asclepius” and Roman “Caduceus” symbols/myths)
Here’s my favorite part – when Jesus is confronted by a pharisee named Nicodemus, part of His rebuke includes this: ” ‘No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.’ ” (Jn 3:13-15)
Jesus compares His crucifixion to the bronze serpent – this comparison solidifies the idea that those who turn their eyes to God will be healed – sometimes healed physically, but always healed spiritually. When we look at Jesus on the cross, (like the serpent on the pole), we are facing our sin, accepting God’s solution for our sin, and allowing the crucifixion to pay the penalty for that sin, so that we may experience life.
My challenge to us today is to take a hard look at our lives, and own any sin that we have, and then look to God for the solution. Let’s put our sin on the cross where it belongs, and accept God’s healing. We can then experience a renewed life, both here on this earth, and in heaven.
Father God, Holy One of Israel, we humbly ask Your forgiveness. We have sinned against You, and we confess that brokenness. We accept Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sin, and praise You, our merciful and gracious King. All honor and glory be to You. In the resurrecting power of Jesus name, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training