ADULT STS LESSON 146 FRUITS AND TITHES

ADULT STS LESSON 108: THE BRAZEN SERPENT

MEMORY VERSE:And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived” (Numbers21:9).

TEXT: Numbers 21:1-35

The news of Israel’s approach filled the king of Canaan with consternation. And in a swift defensive reaction, he fought the Israelites and took some of them captive. Israel cried to God in their despondency and their request was granted. This great triumph and the attendant ecstasy were however cut short by Israel’s besetting sin of murmuring. Rather than trust God, they complained about the stressful journey. God punished them for their transgression by sending fiery serpents among them. The pain and death they suffered from the deadly snakes drove them to repentance. In response to the people’s penitence and answer to Moses’ prayer, God directed that a brazen serpent should be hung on a pole for healing and life to those who obeyed and beheld it. As this study shall reveal, this brazen serpent foreshadowed a promised permanent solution to man’s sin problem (Genesis 3:15; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29; 3:14,15). The Israelites continued their journey (after their sin of murmuring was pardoned), conquering enemy nations, destroying their cities and possessing their land. All these form the crux of this study.

 

ISRAEL’S DEFEAT OF CANAAN AND DESCENT INTO SIN

Numbers 21:1-6; Exodus 16:2,3; Deuteronomy 7:1,2,5; Psalm 50:15; 1 Corinthians 10:9-11; Philippians 2:14,15

God had promised Abraham many years earlier that He would give his descendants the land of the

Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaims, the Amorites, the

Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites (Genesis 15:18-21). These nations were mightier than Israel (Deuteronomy 4:38; 7:1; 9:1; 11:23) but with the invincible God on their side, victory was always sure. Like the Israelites, believers’ avowed enemies (Satan and demons) are stronger, but the mighty God in the believers makes them victorious over the evil forces. Israel then was at the threshold of fulfilling the glorious promise of inheriting the Gentile nations, but it would not come on a platter of gold. They needed to discomfit the foes and dispossess them of their land. The accomplishment of God’s promises requires both divine and human roles in order to actualise our dreams and promises of protection, provision and promotion. “And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners” (Numbers 21:1). Israel was, no doubt, taken unawares by this intimidated king; therefore, he succeeded in taking some of them captive. This underscores the exhortation to believers to be sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8,9). Satan is not happy when God’s people are happy and are making progress; therefore, he tries to cast stumbling blocks and instigate his agents to rob them of their joy. It is however, comforting to know that all such onslaughts have no effect on watchful, prayerful and trusting Christians. Israel called upon God in their distress and made a vow.

He answered their prayer and turned their captivity into a conquest. The Canaanites that hitherto proved stronger were defeated and their cities destroyed. This is a confirmation of God’s promise, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). From Israel’s defeat of the Canaanites, we learn the following:

one, God’s promises can never fail; so, children of God can fully trust Him to fulfil all that He has promised (Psalm 89:34).

Two, a believer may suffer temporary setback but that does not mean God has forsaken him (Psalm 30:5).

Three, obstacles are not stop signs but guidelines. A barrier in a believer’s way may simply be teaching him or her a better approach to achieving goals.

Four, prayer is powerful. All things are possible to Christians who can pray and trust God for the needed blessing (Psalm 50:15).

Five, Canaan can be likened to the field of evangelism.

As Israel never gave up in the face of opposition, so must as a soul-winners never give up on persons, villages, towns and cities resistant to the gospel. With prayer, faith and persistence, such individuals will soon bow to our Saviour and allow Him rule and reign in their lives (2 Timothy 4:2-5). “And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities” (Numbers 21:2). Israel made a vow in their time of trouble. Their vow was in harmony with God’s word. Jacob made a vow to God when he was in distress (Genesis 28:20). However, believers must avoid rash or unbiblical vows. When a child of God vows, he or she should not fail or delay to fulfil it. God’s word is unequivocal on the matter of vows (Ecclesiastes 5:4,5). Christians must be careful to keep promises made to fellow brethren, friends, relations and strangers. Sadly, Israel’s elation that resulted from their victory over the Canaanites was cut short by their backsliding to their usual habit of murmuring (Exodus 16:1-3;17:1-3). “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread (Numbers 21:5). They soon forgot God’s goodness and mercy and began to grumble. Obviously, it indicated that they were yet to learn from their past mistakes. This is a picture of the attitude of many present-day believers. When faced with challenges, they forget God’s past wonders in their lives and complain. But as Christians, we should learn to trust God even when things are rough. We should always apply this time-tested antidote to worry and anxiety prescribed by the Spirit of God: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7). Adverse conditions are only temporary; so believers can receive courage from God’s word, just as David encouraged himself in the Lord his God (1 Samuel 30:6).

 

ISRAEL’S REPENTANCE AND THE RESULTANT DIVINE INTERVENTION

Numbers 21:7-9; Judges 10:15, 16; 1 Samuel 12:19,20; Proverbs 28:13; 2 Chronicles 7:13,14; John 3:14-16.

As Israel’s cup of murmuring appeared full, God decided to punish them. “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6). This divine discipline was necessary for the following reasons:

One, God’s word declares that, “…the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4).

Two, misuse of the tongue attracts divine judgment and eternal punishment in hell (James 3:6).

Three, sin not dealt with will become a habit. The children of Israel were in the habit of murmuring and that needed to be corrected.

Four, they were not mature enough to know that their present challenges should not deter them from focusing on the Promised Land.

Five, they were always going back to Egypt in their hearts, thereby displeasing God.

Children of God should not entertain the thought of going back to the world because it has nothing to offer other than wickedness and woe. Christ says, …In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The Israelites realised that the plague of death in their midst was punishment for their sin of murmuring and they repented and asked Moses to pray for them. Moses prayed and God provided a remedy for the plague – a brazen serpent was hung on a pole which those bitten must look at to live. For a sinner to be saved, he or she must repent of sin and look to Jesus. Israel’s repentance made them humble enough to confess their faults to Moses (Numbers 21:7). Believers should show the genuineness of their repentance by their attitude. The brazen serpent was a type of Christ: “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14,15). Both are similar in several ways.

One, the serpent was hung on a pole and Christ was hung on the cross.

Two, as the victims of serpent bite looked at the brazen serpent and lived, so also slaves of sin can look at the Saviour by faith and receive freedom and eternal life.

Three, faith in the brazen serpent healed the sick; in the same way, faith in Christ cures sicknesses and diseases.

Four, the power of God that worked through the brazen serpent is the same that works through Christ.

Finally, as the Israelites had to demonstrate faith and obedience to enjoy the remedy that the brazen serpent provided, so also sinners and backsliders must exercise faith in Christ and obey Him to enjoy salvation and restoration.

 

ISRAEL’S PROGRESS AND POSSESSION OF THEIR ENEMIES’ LANDS

Numbers 21:10-35; Exodus 14:15; Deuteronomy 2:3; Genesis 26:12-14; Obadiah 17; Joshua 1:3-5; Psalm 2:8,9; 1 Corinthians 16:9.

Israel made great progress in their journey to the Promised Land after their encounter with the lifesaving brazen serpent. They moved and pitched in Oboth, from there to Ijeabarim, then to the valley of Zared, to the other side of Arnon, to Beer, to Mattanah, to Nahaliel, to Bamoth, to the top of Pisgah and Basha. “And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it…(Numbers 21:16-18). Believers are empowered by God to make unimpeded spiritual advancement after their genuine encounter with Christ, the Saviour. Several lessons stand out here.

One, God spoke to Moses to gather the people together so He could give them water. God directs His people through their leader because He is not and cannot be the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

Two, although God provided the water, the people needed to dig to enjoy it. Believers who fold their hands without doing any legitimate work cannot enjoy the fullness of God’s blessings.

Three, as Israel sang, saints are expected to sing in appreciation of God’s goodness (Colossians 3:16). From thence they removed, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which is in the wilderness that cometh out of the coasts of the Amorites… (Numbers 21:13). In their onward journey to the Promised Land, Israel avoided any military encounter with Mount Seir and Moab which were possessed by the children of Esau and the posterity of Lot respectively because God had not given them to Israel (Deuteronomy 2:4,5,9). “And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king’s high way, until we be past thy borders (Numbers 21:21,22). Despite Israel’s effort to make peace with king Sihon, he would not accept their request. Instead, he gathered all his people against them (Numbers 21:23). His refusal to allow Israel free passage is akin to Satan and his agents obstructing gospel penetration in some towns, cities and villages. But as Israel could not be stopped so can no power of darkness stop the spread of the gospel (Matthew 16:18; 24:14). And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong. And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof” (Numbers 21:24,25). The gospel power will continue to conquer the hearts of men – rich, poor, educated, illiterate, great and small – for Christ to reign unrivalled. “And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and og the King of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei. And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon” (Numbers 21:33,34). Satan does not relent in his fight against Christians; therefore, believers should not seek repose. It is comforting to know that as Israel made progress in their journey and possessed their enemies, lands, so also are the children of God unstoppable and will accomplish all that God has designed for them. As God told Moses not to fear the king of Bashan, the same way He tells Christians not to fear.

 

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:

  1. What can believers learn from Israel’s defeat of Canaan?
  2. How should believers respond when faced with difficulties?
  3. What should sinners and backsliders do to receive God’s forgiveness?
  4. In what way does the brazen serpent point to Jesus Christ?
  5. Compare Sihon’s refusal to allow Israel free passage to Christians’ experience on the field of evangelism.
  6. What does Israel’s progress in spite of the enemies teach children of God?
  7. How can we avoid Israel’s mistakes in the wilderness?

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