Numbers 21 Lifted Up

SCENE 1:  up.

1.     “impatient because of the journey” – They had to go far around the land of Edom and back into the desert. 

But Edom answered him, “You will not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”

“We will go on the main road,” the Israelites replied to them, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay its price. There will be no problem; only let us travel through on foot.”

 Yet Edom insisted, “You may not travel through.” And they came out to confront them with a large force of heavily-armed people. Edom refused to allow Israel to travel through their territory, and Israel turned away from them. — Numbers 20:18-21 (CSB)

·       This was a challenging journey, but also an opportunity to trust God. 

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” — John 16:33 (CSB)

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. — James 1:2-4 (CSB)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: As a follower of Jesus, we are never promised a life absent of difficulties.  However, we are promised a companion through those difficulties. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.  — Isaiah 43:2-3 (CSB)

2.     “spoke against God and Moses” – The previous generation spoke against Moses, this one complained against Moses and God Himself. 

o   “to die in the wilderness” – Assumed the worst.

o   “we detest this wretched food” – Detest- a sickening dread, Wretched –  worthless without value

o   Their complaining against bread from heaven was the sin of ingratitude.

For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. — Romans 1:21 (CSB)

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people. — 2 Timothy 3:2-5 (CSB)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE: Constant complaining against and unwillingness to follow spiritual leaders in almost always a symptom of a deeper heart issue with God Himself. 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.  — Hebrews 13:17 (CSB)

3.     “Then the LORD sent” – (DAVID GUZIK)

·       They despised the bread from heaven; God gave them serpents from the earth.

·       They despised God’s blessings; God gave them burning poison.

·       They despised the life God sustained for them; God gave them death.

4.     “The people then came” –

·       “We have sinned…” – This is always a good first step with God. 

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’  — Luke 15:18-19 (CSB)

·       “Intercede with the LORD..” – Moses interceded to the LORD. 

What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? — Romans 8:31-35 (CSB)

SCENE 2: Then the LORD said

·       Serpent in the Bible refers to evil.

·       Bronze is created by fire which represents judgement. 

·       Looking is an act of faith.

EMERALD CITY: John 3: 1-21

1.     Have you looked on the one that was lifted up?

2.     Is there an area of your life that needs to come into the light?