Broadcast
Lifting Up the Serpent - Part 1
Numbers 21:4-5
05/06/2024
4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red
Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people
became impatient on the way.
5 And the people spoke against God and against
Moses, ``Why have you brought us up out of Egypt
to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and
no water, and we loathe this worthless food.''
(ESV)
The story of the Exodus, of the children of Israel leaving
Egypt and wandering in the wilderness for forty years, is the
story of sin, repentance, restoration and service. Time and
again, they grumbled against God, received the punishment due for
their unbelief, repented, and returned to trusting in God to
sustain and deliver them.
Near the end of their forty year trek, when the children of
Israel turned once again from the promised land towards the
wilderness, they began to grumble against God and Moses. They
were tired of the miraculous manna which God provided, and
desired something different.
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea,
to go around the land of Edom. And the people became
impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God
and against Moses, ``Why have you brought us up out of
Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food
and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.''
God eventually disciplined the children of Israel for their
unbelief and their unfaithfulness. More importantly, this event
during the wilderness years pointed directly to the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ for the sins of all people. This week we will look
at the sin, discipline, and forgiveness given by God even to
those who lack trust in His promises.
May our Lord grant you the peace of knowing His love. Amen.