WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE… Part 2

BARBARA E. PERKINS

WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES LOOK DIRE…
Part 2
In Numbers 21:4-9, the word of God denounced still another group, “Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged 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 our soul loathes (detests) this worthless bread.’ 6 SO THE LORD SENT FIERY SERPENTS AMONG THE PEOPLE, AND THEY BIT THE PEOPLE; AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL DIED.  7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘WE HAVE SINNED, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.’ SO, MOSES PRAYED FOR THE PEOPLE.  8 Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.’ 9 SO MOSES MADE A BRONZE SERPENT, AND PUT IT ON A POLE; and so it was, IF A SERPENT HAD BITTEN ANYONE, WHEN HE LOOKED AT THE BRONZE SERPENT, HE LIVED.’”  In this second example, of Numbers chapter 21, the behavior of God’s people was so much worse.  The Children of Israel were so unappreciative of all that The LORD had done for them.  In spite of so many miracles that the LORD had performed for the Children of Israel in the wilderness, after their deliverance, God’s people complained incessantly about everything.  They rebelled against God and Moses and their actions resulted in a plague-like situation where deadly venomous snakes were killing them.  In spite of Moses’ negative treatment from the Children of Israel, he interceded for them.  A true Man of God!  Thus, Almighty God fulfilled His plan that allowed His people to live, even if they were bitten.  As instructed by God, Moses made a fiery bronze serpent, placed it on a pole, and he lifted it up. Now when the people were bitten, IF they beheld the serpent on the pole, with a steadfast gaze, THEY LIVED.  The serpent on the pole was a shadow and type of Jesus Christ, in the New Testament when He was lifted up on the cross and Crucified (John 12:32).  God is our source of life (our lifeline), so why would anyone get angry with Almighty God, our only means of salvation, deliverance, preservation, safety, soundness of our minds and healing for our bodies?  Without God, there is no hope (Isaiah 41:10) (Psalms 71:5).  Moses and Aaron interceded to Almighty God for the people and God, in His mercy and grace, changed the deadly outcome.  God’s word said of Moses, “…Moses was VERY HUMBLE, more than all men on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).  So, why would anyone get angry with Moses or God?  Why?  What can we gleam from God’s word?  Unfortunately, and far too often, many people get hurt for the mistakes of a few people or by following the wrong crowd.  Praise God for His mercy and grace (1 Corinthians 10:13).  However, we will never know the answers to all of the “WHYS” on this side (Deuteronomy 29:29).  But, does either of these circumstances in the Book of Numbers remind us of today?  When circumstances look dire what will you do?  We can all pray for a better tomorrow because the generations that are following us deserve our prayers (Isaiah 1:19-20), (Isaiah 65:24), and (John 14:13-14).

Would you like to be saved and develop a relationship with God as your Heavenly Father?  If you would really like to know God, invite His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart.  Please pray this prayer:  Dear God, please forgive me of my sins.  I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is Your Son.  I believe that He died on the cross, shed His blood, and rose from the grave for my salvation.  I confess Jesus right now as my Savior and Lord.  God fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can live a life that pleases You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!  If you prayed this prayer and really meant it, based on Roman 10:9-10, you are saved.  Welcome into God’s Family!