Good day dear friends.
Here is our study guide for today:
Sunday: Numbers 21What connections do you see between the facts that snakes were the source of the plague and that a bronze snake was used as the means of healing?
The grumbling against God never ended. If it wasn't one thing one day, it was another the next. Time after time they had seen the way those who had grumbled had been dealt with, yet they persisted in their complaining. The text says that God sent poisonous snakes to bite those that were complaining and many died. It reached the point where those who were complaining made the connection and come to repentance asking for God to forgive them of their complaining. Moses again prays to the Lord asking for their forgiveness and for direction on how to handle these people and God answers that Moses should make a metal snake and put it on a flagpole. Those bitten by snakes were to look at it and live.
What is the connection between being bitten by a deadly snake and looking to the flagpole to live? One immediate thing is that people have to look up. Long associated as the direction in which we can find God, up most times is the only way we can look or should go. To see the snake up on that pole is also a reminder of their sin against God and Moses. And to look up with faith and repentance is the way to secure forgivness and healing. Jesus Himself said, in John 3:14, just two verses shy of the famous "For God so loved the world" verse, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." To see the Son of Man (God) on that tree dying for you and me, we should be reminded of our sin and our need for healing. It can only come from God.
If God had to specifically nail something to a pole to remind you of your sin what would be up there? Thank God that is not necessary. You and I certainly don't want loved ones to come and gawk at that which has kept us in bondage to sin all these years! Jesus took it all away (or He will if you ask!).
PRAYER: I thank You loving Father for taking away my sin. I thank You because You did it without exposing me. Let me hide in You today my imperfections and blemishes confident that You have taken them all away and I am Your child. I pray in the blessed name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
Here is our study guide for today:
Sunday: Numbers 21What connections do you see between the facts that snakes were the source of the plague and that a bronze snake was used as the means of healing?
The grumbling against God never ended. If it wasn't one thing one day, it was another the next. Time after time they had seen the way those who had grumbled had been dealt with, yet they persisted in their complaining. The text says that God sent poisonous snakes to bite those that were complaining and many died. It reached the point where those who were complaining made the connection and come to repentance asking for God to forgive them of their complaining. Moses again prays to the Lord asking for their forgiveness and for direction on how to handle these people and God answers that Moses should make a metal snake and put it on a flagpole. Those bitten by snakes were to look at it and live.
What is the connection between being bitten by a deadly snake and looking to the flagpole to live? One immediate thing is that people have to look up. Long associated as the direction in which we can find God, up most times is the only way we can look or should go. To see the snake up on that pole is also a reminder of their sin against God and Moses. And to look up with faith and repentance is the way to secure forgivness and healing. Jesus Himself said, in John 3:14, just two verses shy of the famous "For God so loved the world" verse, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up." To see the Son of Man (God) on that tree dying for you and me, we should be reminded of our sin and our need for healing. It can only come from God.
If God had to specifically nail something to a pole to remind you of your sin what would be up there? Thank God that is not necessary. You and I certainly don't want loved ones to come and gawk at that which has kept us in bondage to sin all these years! Jesus took it all away (or He will if you ask!).
PRAYER: I thank You loving Father for taking away my sin. I thank You because You did it without exposing me. Let me hide in You today my imperfections and blemishes confident that You have taken them all away and I am Your child. I pray in the blessed name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
