27 October Numbers 21

Look and Live

Numbers 21:4-9 (NIV) “They travelled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived”.

The Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and the snakes bit them, causing many Israelites to die. The people went to Moses and said, "We have sinned because we spoke against the Lord and you. Please pray to the Lord to take the snakes away from us." So, Moses prayed for the people, and the Lord told Moses, "Make a model of a snake and put it on a pole. Anyone who is bitten can look at the model and live." Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, and whenever someone was bitten, they would look at the bronze snake and be healed.

Jesus connected this story to himself. In John 3:14, he said, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted, so that anyone who believes in him may have eternal life." Think about that, when Jesus talks about being "lifted up," he's referring to being lifted up on the cross. Let’s see how this story in Numbers 21 relates to John 3 and what Jesus did on the cross. Because of our sins, we deserve death. So, how can we be saved? We can lift our eyes and look at Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins.

Jesus, we thank you for dying on the cross, for taking the punishment for our sins, and for allowing yourself to be lifted on the cross to save us. All glory to your name for your love, grace, and mercy. Even today, we look to you and praise you. We look to you and love you, Jesus.

In conclusion, the story of the bronze snake in Numbers 21 reveals a powerful message about God's mercy and provision. Despite the Israelites' rebellion and sin, God provided a way for them to be saved by looking at the bronze snake lifted on a pole. This act of faith, looking and living, points us directly to Jesus Christ, who was lifted on the cross for the world's salvation. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, we are saved by looking to Jesus, who bore our sins and provided eternal life through His sacrifice.

The connection Jesus makes in John 3:14 reminds us that the cure for our sin is not in our works or efforts but in our faith in Him. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we are healed spiritually, given eternal life, and experience the fullness of God's grace. Let this story be a reminder to always turn our eyes to Jesus, for in Him, we find hope, healing, and everlasting life.

May we continue to look to Him in all circumstances, trusting in His finished work on the cross and giving glory to His name.