Numbers 21:9

New International Version (NIV)

So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

For Meditation

Even God’s patience has a limit. How long could the grumbling and whining and complaining go on? How long would God tolerate unbelief in His promises and sheer disrespect of His name without punishing the offenders? Throughout their journey out of Egypt, the people had complained against everything. The least discomfort drew their anger against Moses and God. God was patient with them and held back His wrath many times when Moses interceded for them. But now He had it! “Then God sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died” (Nu. 21:6).

Enough of their unbelief! God’s wrath fell in judgment, and death ruled in the camp of Israel (Nu. 21:4). Moses interceded, and God responded in mercy, and His grace embraced them. He told Moses to make a snake and put it up on a pole so that anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at it and live. Moses complied and everyone who believed what God said and looked at the bronze snake, lived (8-9). God’s healing for their condition was timely. The means did not make sense, but that was precisely the point. Those who had faith to believe that simply raising their eyes to the symbol of their sin, raised on a pole, would save them were healed. It foreshadowed our salvation through Christ.

As Paul declares, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rm. 5:8). The Cross of Calvary was raised even when we rejected the Son of God and did every act of wickedness against Him. Yet, God raised Christ on that pole, bearing our sins. God’s wrath was pacified by His death, and grace flowed with salvation to all who would believe in Him.

It doesn’t make sense to the world that simply looking to Jesus on the cross would save the sinner. Satan hasn’t understood it yet, and hell is still trembling; but the deal is done. The efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary is divinely guaranteed, and the veracity of John 3:16 is undeniable.

1. Why then are you holding back?
2. Why have you believed Satan’s lies and deception (2 Cor. 4:4)?
3. Why are you denying God’s love for you in Christ (1 Jn. 3:16; 4:9)?
4. Why can’t you believe that God has worked forgiveness for you in Christ (Acts 13:38; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14)?
5. What do you have to lose by trusting Christ to receive life eternal (Jn. 3:16; 14:6; Rm. 10:9-10, 13)?

I pray you remember that God has a limit on His patience, and the time will come when grace will cease flowing.

So: May you look to Jesus now and be saved; and may you receive rest for your soul in Him.

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18).

Shalom