Read Numbers 21:4–9; 2 Kings 18:1–8
They spoke against God and against Moses, and said, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!" Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. Numbers 21:5–6 NIV
* * *
During the Exodus from
Egypt, God sent a plague of snakes because the people grumbled against God and
Moses. 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. 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."
(21:7-8)
* * *
Hundreds of years later, the people of Judah were
worshiping the bronze snake, instead of honoring God who had brought them out of
Egypt. When Hezekiah became king, He broke into pieces the bronze snake
Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to
it. (2 Kings 18:4)
The bronze snake was a gift from God for healing and
they focused on the gift instead of the One who gave it–making it into an
idol.
* * *
Dear Father, the bronze snake
could not heal in itself, but it represented the One who could–Jesus Christ who
was lifted up on the cross for our sin. Lord, keep my focus on You, the giver of
every good and perfect gift.
* * *
"Just as Moses lifted
up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone
who believes in him may have eternal life." John 3:14-15 NIV
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