The Gospel in the Old TestamentSample

After the Israelites came out of Egypt, they had a bad tendency to gripe. In Numbers 21, the Israelites became impatient. Remember, the only reason they were still in the wilderness is because of their refusal to enter the Promised Land in Numbers 13. Now they found themselves tired of sleeping in the wilderness and eating the same food every day. So they complained to Moses, and therefore, to God, about their circumstances.

As a result, God sent poisonous snakes among the people. Many of the Israelites died. If this response seems a bit excessive, it is important to remember that this comes after several other incidents of unfaithfulness on the part of the Israelites (complaining from Aaron and Miriam, Korah’s rebellion, and complaining about no water).

The people begged Moses to intercede with the Lord, and he did exactly that. The Lord had mercy on the Israelites. He commanded Moses to make a statue of a snake and put it on a pole in the Israelite camp. When anyone was bitten and infected with poison, he/she could look to the bronze snake and be healed.

About 1500 years later, Jesus referenced this story in His conversation with Nicodemus. In John 3, He said, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.”

The Israelites were to blame for their problems in this story. They sinned and suffered the consequences of their sin. But in an act of mercy, God raised up a bronze serpent to bring them healing.

In the same way, we are all responsible for our own sin. We will all face the consequences of our own sin, apart from the mercy of God. The Lord sent His own Son to be raised up on a Cross to pay for our sin. Now anyone who calls on Him will be saved.

Have you looked to the Cross? This is the only way to find forgiveness of sin!