The danger of distrust, the riches of repentance, and the challenge of choice–all wrapped up in a few verses in Numbers 21:4-9.
They traveled 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!”
Let’s remember what has already happened before now. Israel recently defeated the Canaanite people. Before that, God provided water from a rock to supply the need of the nation. There have been multiple occurrences of the Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die that have never ended well for the complainers. Stubborn hearts continue despite miracles like the parting of the sea and before that the plagues of Egypt that set them free.
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.
It seems blessing does not get this people’s attention and impatience is the rule but when real danger comes with it comes moments of clarity. Repentance, honestly admitting the error and choosing to turn from that way, was necessary in this case as in all others were there is sin.
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.
God gave an interesting answer to prayer. God did not take away the snakes. People continued to be bitten. Their lives continued to be in peril. God provided an antidote. Every time bitten a person must look at the bronze snake to live.
Jesus Christ echoes this concept in John 16:33 when he says
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
This world is not trouble free. There are dangers. Many of those dangers will pile upon ourselves and many those around us and our ancestors have piled upon us. God is not going to give us a pain-free life. He provides a life we can endure and where we can thrive but only via constant renewal from Him. Again we hear this sentiment in John 15:5-6
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
We are made to depend on God. Our daily, even momentary choice, is to trust that He is willing and able not only to see Himself glorified, which is right and good, but that he also cares for his servants. Remember, God did not ask for an elaborate ritual to cure snakebite–this is not a big performance, perfection thing. God asked us to look to him again and again, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day. This is the cure for distrust and a great source of joy.
Leave a Reply