(Numbers 21:1-3) When the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming by the way of Atharim, then he fought against Israel and took some of them captive. 2 So Israel made a vow to the Lord and said, “If You will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” 3 The Lord heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites; then they utterly destroyed them and their cities. Thus the name of the place was called Hormah.
The next moment they became disobedient and disbelieving, which brought about consequences...
(Numbers 21:4-6) Then they set out from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the people became impatient because of the journey. 5 The people spoke against God and Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.” 6 The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.
Then they would realize their sin and confess, which would be followed by God providing a way to deliver them...
(Numbers 21:7-9) So the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us.” And Moses interceded for the people. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a standard; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, he will live.” 9 And Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on the standard; and it came about, that if a serpent bit any man, when he looked to the bronze serpent, he lived.
Today's takeaway: Just as the serpents were the cause of their suffering and death, and looking to a serpent up on a wooden pole would save them (from the serpents) - this parallels mankind's sin being the cause for our death, and looking to Jesus who died on the cross for us is the only way that will save us (eternally). I realize that I've already mentioned this scripture, but now it seems most appropriate...
(John 3:14-15) As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
Now, before we are too hard on the Israelites for not remembering the miracles that God did for them - I have to say - it is so easy for me to ask God to do something amazing, and when He does it - I very soon forget about it, or try to reason it away. I was once told to keep a log of prayer requests, AS WELL as the answers to prayers. I wish I had done that sooner, because I'm sure the list would be very long. I've even had answers to prayers that I had not yet prayed!!! I was just thinking I could list off a bunch of answered prayers right now, but I'll just mention one - which is irrefutable! It could only be God's supernatural power at work...
Our daughter was born with a rare lung disease. When I asked the doctors what her prognosis was, they remained silent. So I coaxed them into giving me the STATS of her chances, because they usually like to give you a glimmer of hope, like, even just a "5%". A doctor finally shook his head and said, "No. She is going to die." I went home to prepare myself, and in that moment - I just gave her to God. She is Yours, Lord!!! I know You can heal her, and I would love it if she could remain here with me, but give me peace if You choose to take her now. She lived!!! And her lungs are absolutely fine. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Another succession of anguished prayers came about when, a few years later, my mom went through her third round of chemo and radiation treatments, as well as a bone marrow transplant. The cancer was completely gone, but she was left without an immune system. One tiny little germ could come along and kill her; SO they were going to do a second bone marrow transplant. "There is an 85 to 100% chance of success," they said. And there were people praying!!! So when I got the phone call that she had passed away due to the strain of the procedure on her internal organs, I had to admit, "My mom is now 100% cured! Thank You, Lord." I know she is a Christian, and she now is without any suffering or worries. I am so happy for her! Because it's only a temporary loss, and I will see her again - for all eternity!
And FYI - she is NOT looking down on me!!! THAT would be worrisome for her at times, for sure. lol. Seriously, I would not even like that. There is no comfort in THAT "cute" little thought. If that were actually the case, I can just imagine her having to slap her forehead and wonder, "Oh child, what are you thinking now???" OH NO! GOD is looking out for me, and that is enough!!!! And this point will actually come up when we reach 1 Thessalonians in this study of eschatology. God is omniscient. God is all-knowing. God is all-powerful. God is the only One who saves! God is the One who delivers!
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