Fiery Serpents and the Brazen Serpent
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
3/27/2011 PM
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Text:
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Numbers 21:4-9
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Psalters: |
394, 164, 292, 91 |
- God’s trial.
- “The soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”
- In response to this God-given cross, the people “fell short” (literal of “discouraged”).
- For them the way was too long for their endurance and for their desire, and they became short tempered.
- Reacting naturally (without faith) their tongues were not bridled.
- God send fiery serpents as punishment to this generation.
- This part of the desert had many fiery (“burning”) both for their color and more for their poisonous bite.
- The burning bites of the snakes resulting deaths speaks of a spiritual reality.
- But this severe chastisement produced the fruit of repentance!
- God answers with the sign of a brazen serpent lifted up.
- At God’s command Moses made a serpent out of brass, put it on a pole, lifted it up in the camp.
- Jesus teaches that the lifted up serpent of brass was a type of Himself being lifted up on the cross (John 3).
- Only through the means of faith are God’s people saved – they must look, i.e., believe.
- The effect of compliance to God’s call.