The children of Israel had just won a tremendous battle. They had made a promise to God and had kept their word. But, now they were going back to their old ways of complaining.
Numbers 21:5- 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.
Not only were they complaining about their situation, which was a result of their sin, but they were also complaining about God's provision of the mana. They weren't thankful for what God gave them.
God commands us in I Thessalonians 5:18- In everything give thanks: for his is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Numbers 21:6-7a- 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.
The people were punished with fiery serpents. They wanted Moses to pray that God would take the serpents away. But, God knew something else needed to be done.
Numbers 21:7b-8- 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.
God knew that if he only took the serpents away, whoever was bitten would die. God wanted to make a way for those who had already gotten a snake bite to live. He was going to show them the goodness of God!
Numbers 21:9- 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.
The ones who had a snake bite only had to obey God by looking at the brass serpent. This was another picture that God was giving to the children of Israel.
John 3:14-15- And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Christ was also put on a pole, a wooden one called a cross. He was lifted up like the brass serpent, and hung between heaven and earth on the cross. Anyone that wanted to look to Him could be saved from their sin. They wouldn't have to die and go to hell. They could go to heaven!
God knew that the children of Israel needed a Savior. He was going to provide one, but first he had to show them their need!
Anyone today can be saved, but they have to see their need, also.
