FIERY SERPENTS

The events in this passage occur very near the end of Israel’s 40 year journey through the wilderness. God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt 40 years earlier. It took them 2 years to reach the Jordan River. During that time, the Lord gave them His Law, and taught them about worshiping Him. When they arrived at Jordan, they refused to cross over the river into the Promised Land. Because of their lack of faith and rebellion against God, the Lord sentenced the entire nation to wander in the wilderness until every member of that rebellious generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, died. It took 38 years for them all to die.

Num 21:4-9, “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.   And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.   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.” 

Four Complaints Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. 1. You brought us here to die. 2. We have no bread 3. We have no water 4. We are sick of manna  

I. THE SINS OF ISRAEL

1) REJECTED GOD’S PERSON Verse 5, “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.” Num. 11:1, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” 

Num. 14:2, 3, “And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!   And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?”

Num. 16:41, “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.”  Num. 17:12, “And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.”

2) Rejected God’s Promises “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” Every time you doubt the Word of God, you discredit the worth of God. Remember what Paul said? He said, “Let God be true; but every man a liar,” Rom. 3:4.

3) Rejected God’s Provisions To add insult to injury, they said, “for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.”

The word “loatheth,” means “to be disgusted by The word “loatheth,” means “to be disgusted by.” God graciously gave them the Manna from Heaven every day. He used it to keep them fed and healthy. Yet, they looked at God’s gracious provision and they said “that stuff is disgusting.” •  The word “light” means “worthless”. They said that the Manna was “worthless!” Manna was far from worthless. While they were in the wilderness this bread was not only their strength, their sustenance, it was their very salvation. Without it, they would have starved to death! Yet, the one thing that gave them life, they renounced.

II. ISRAEL’S SENTENCE

1) What was Sent? Num. 21:6, “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”  They were not created for the occasion like the great fish that swallowed Jonah. These were sent forth from the desert sands.

“much people of Israel died” (vs. 6). 2. People Became Sick

FROM FIERY SERPENTS TO THE FLAMING FIRES OF HELL 1 Thess. 1:8-9 says, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” FROM FIERY SERPENTS TO THE FLAMING FIRES OF HELL

Keep in mind that we are talking about two to four million people in a twelve square mile area. Poisonous serpents are biting them, and they are getting sick and dying.  There was no hospital, and even if there had been, it wouldn’t have been big enough to treat all those who were sick.  There are no doctors, and even if there were, there wouldn’t be enough for all the patients.  There is no anti-venom and no other medicines, and even if there were, there would not be enough to go around.  This is a desperate situation. People are dying everywhere and there seems to be no cure available and there is no help in sight.

III. SALVATION

Incredibly the cure for this serpent problem is not a pill or a potion Incredibly the cure for this serpent problem is not a pill or a potion. The solution is a brass serpent raised up on a pole. Our cure comes from a raised Savior on a cross!

THREE PARTS TO THEIR SALVATION 1) Individuality – Everyone had to look for themselves. Nobody could look for another person. If you were bitten and wanted to be healed, you had to look for yourself. Anybody could be healed, but not everybody was healed, because not everybody looked.   THREE PARTS TO THEIR SALVATION

2) Instantaneous – The people who looked at that serpent did not have to wait, pray, or pay for this salvation. The moment you looked was the minute you lived. Salvation is not a process. Salvation is a moment of crisis when you come to see yourself exactly as you are, when you come to see Jesus Christ exactly as He is, when you are brought face to face with Jesus Christ, and you look to Him with the eyes of faith, trusting Him for salvation. As they gazed at the serpent on a pole, we enter the waters of baptism to have our sins remitted.

3)  Invaluable – The healing God provided through that serpent was free, readily available, sufficient, and it would work for anyone.

IV. SPIRITUAL LESSONS

1. Rejoice over what God provides! Psa. 146:7, “Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners.” Phil. 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  1. Rejoice over what God provides!

(2) Remember what God has brought you through! Psa. 25:6, “Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses ; for they have been ever of old.” (2) Remember what God has brought you through!

3) Repent when you fail in your trust! Psa. 16:1, “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” 3) Repent when you fail in your trust!

God wants us to feel the love of the Spirit and not the pain of the fiery serpent! Rev. 22:17, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”