Last week, God told Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole so that people bitten by the poisonous snakes could look at the bronze snake and live. The snakes had been sent among the people as judgment of the sin of complaining and not appreciating God. It strikes me that God did not take away the snakes. People had to look at the bronze snake as a sort of anti-venom. Today, in a similar way, God does not take evil out of the world, but we can look to the cross and be cleansed from our unrighteousness, if we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9)
Jesus said that He would be lifted up on the cross just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. The 2 verses that come before the most-quoted Bible verse (John 3:16) are as follows: “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) Won says, “To confront the serpent sculpture is to confront one’s own sin and its result…In Moses’ bronze snake, the Lord simultaneously shows the Israelites their sin and His grace…By doing something that is humanly irrational, the people will show faith in the Lord’s power and promise of healing, which is their only hope.” (NIV Application Commentary p. 680-681)
One other reference to the bronze snake is made in the book of 2 Kings chapter 18. Hezekiah, the 13th king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, was a good king and he was cleansing the country of idols when he became king. One of the idols he destroyed was Nehushtan, the name the Israelites had given to the bronze snake which they burned incense to. (2 Kings 18:4) That means they were worshiping the bronze snake!
The snake may have been preserved as a memorial to God’s care in the desert, but over time it had become a worthless idol that people were bowing to. Hezekiah put an end to that immediately.
After the snake incident, travel resumes through Oboth, the Zered Valley, Arnon, and Moab. In Beer, the Lord gave them water. The people rejoiced and composed a song. It is then mentioned that the Mount PIsgah overlooks the wasteland. This is setting the stage for the upcoming account of Balaam.
Even though Arad was the first recorded battle, Sihon and Og’s defeat is referred to throughout the Old Testament many times. Israel defeats Sihon, a king who refuses passage and comes out in force. This gives the Hebrews their first home. They settle in the land of the Amorites.
Moses sent spies to Jazer. We are not told how many or what they reported; however, Israel captured Jazer and went on to Bashan. This is where Og their king comes out with his army to meet Israel. The Lord told Moses not to fear, He has given Og to Israel. God instructs them to do to them what they did to Heshbon. They left no survivors and took possession of the land. “The victory was complete because God’s ways were followed (v. 35).” (Expositor’s Commentary p. 884)
“Thus chapter 21 of Numbers presents a remarkable shift in the fortunes of the people. They are still rebellious (and will continue to rebel…); but they are now on a victory march, not fearful of battle against the people of the land. At least they have learned this lesson from their parents: When God is for us, what can man do against us? (cf. Ps 118:6)” (Expositor’s p. 885)
Today, if we can just get through our heads and hearts that the same power that raised Christ from the grave lives in us who believe (Ephesians 1:19-20), we can win battles, move mountains, conquer sinful tendencies and honor the Lord in all we do.
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