PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Numbers 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” (Numbers 21:8)
Through these stories the narrator is reminding believers that the Lord is for them.
When they try to pass through peacefully and they are opposed, the Lord helps them.
The Lord turns their enemy’s plans against them, and destroys the destroyers.
But what about when believers turn against or away from the Lord, and resist that help?
Venomous snakes and cruel kings show what life in this world is like without the Lord.
We live in a deadly and dangerous (venomous) world inspired by the serpent of Genesis 3.
When we turn against or away from the Lord, we enter the world of the serpent’s curse.
Thankfully the Lord does not leave us here; he enters the snake put to help us out.
“Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” (John 3:14-15)
Jesus is bitten by the serpent in order to crush the serpent and the curse (Genesis 3:15).
As we travel through this venomous world, the best thing to do is keep focused on Jesus.
The worse thing to do is to turn away from the Lord… as if we can make it on our own.
PRAYER
Lord, you took on the serpent’s curse to set me free from it. Thank you for reminding me to stay focused on you as I pass through this venomous world.
Moab refused to let Israel cross through their territory so Israel went the long way around – they wanted to pass through Amorite territory under the rulership of Sihon and Og but they refused – but this time God told Moses to defeat them and they chased the Amorites out of a section of their country and it became part of Israel. And now Israel occupied their lands – right across the territory of Moab and the fortified city of Jericho. When that happened it says: “Moab was terrified” – and so the King Balak summons Balaam to put a curse on Israel – but God would not let them. Even as the people complain about the long road and they are punished by snakes, God has Moses erect a bronze snake statute that when the people looked at it they would be spared from the poisonous snakes. To me a picture of God ultimate provision of Jesus who took on the poison of our sin and by whom we are cleansed. Sometimes we need to struggle and be humbled – and recognize our dependence on God’s grace and mercy!
My focus needs to be on Jesus and not on myself. He needs to be my Guide and Protector. As I live this day in His presence I need to live for Him. Without God I am nothing. Lost. Defeated. And with Him I am more than a conqueror. I need to keep my eyes on Jesus each and every day and trust that He will lead me and guide me in the way to go. I do not need to fear but to trust and obey.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus,
When The Tidal Waves Of Trouble Round You Roll.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus,
He Will Calm The Storms Of Life That Toss Your Soul.
Living In A World That’s Full Of Sorrow.
We Are Tried And Tempted Every Day.
Knowing Not The Secret Of Tomorrow.
We Find Refuge When We Watch And Pray.