Week 4: Day 4- Numbers 21:6-9

And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Numbers 21:6-9

Explanation:

In the book of Numbers, the Bible relates a time in the wilderness where the people had been rebellious and disobedient to Him. God sent judgement for their sin in the form of “fiery serpents”. These were snakes that were poisonous and deadly. The people came to Moses confessing their sin. Moses then goes and intercedes to God on behalf of behalf of the people. God responded by providing a means of forgiveness and healing. He tells Moses to form a snake out of brass and put it on a pole in the midst of the camp. When the people who are bit are obedient to look to the serpent in faith in God’s Word and the redemption that was made possible, God healed them.

Jesus uses this as an illustration in 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.
John 3:14-15

Application:

We are saved by looking to Jesus for our redemption. All that we can offer to God is our faith. When we trust in Christ and allow Him to change us amazing things happen.The Baby born in Bethlehem was born to die. Like the old hymn says, “Look and live!”.

Response:

1. Take a few moments today to thank God for the provision that He made in Christ to forgive our sins.

2. Who is someone you can tell about God’s salvation this Christmas season?