YOUTH STS LESSON 108 THE BRAZEN SERPENT

TEXT: Numbers 21:1-35..

MEMORY VERSE:

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live” (Numbers 21:8).

In the previous chapter, we saw the various negative events that befell Israel as a nation in the course of their journey to the Promised Land. Miriam, their beloved prophetess and women leader died. The people murmured against God and blamed Moses and Aaron because there was no water for them to drink. Moses, their leader, who often stood in the gap so God would not destroy them, experienced a setback in his relationship with the Lord. Moreover, their journey was obstructed by Edom who would not let Israel pass through her territory. In the end. Aaron the high priest died. Our study today focuses on the sudden attack of Israel by King Arad and Edom (Numbers 21:13.10-35), Israel’s backsliding, the instant judgment that followed and the lifting up of the symbolic brazen serpent (Numbers 21:7-9).

BELIEVERS’ CONFLICT AND PUNISHMENT FOR MURMURING

Numbers 21:1-6; Nehemiah 4:7-9; Psalm 106:24-27; 1 Corinthians 10:5-11: Philippians 2:14,15

“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). Our text opens with a conflict, a battle initiated by King Arad, the Canaanite. The world is a place of a battle and conflict. Satan, the god of this world does not want believers to have peace. Those who are under his control are also without true peace. As Arad moved to be an obstruction to Israel on their journey to the Promised Land, so does Satan stand as a stumbling block against Christians who are on their way to heaven.

Question 1: What are some battles Christian youths must contend with while journeying to heaven?

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). A Christian youth is to fight against evil thoughts, worldliness, carnal ideas, false doctrines, temptations, besetting sins, fleshly or youthful lusts, examination malpractice and compromise. “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way” (Numbers 21:4). Discouragement is one of Satan’s devices by which he fights believers. The major aim of discouragement is to doubt God’s will and plan.

Question 2: Mention Bible characters who were discouraged and how they reacted.

Moses was once discouraged because of the heavy burden on him of leading the Israelites in the wilderness (Numbers 11:14,15).

Elijah was also discouraged, having been persecuted by Jezebel (1 Kings 19:4),

David was once confronted with a discouraging situation.

Ziklag, their camp site, was invaded and burnt with fire by the Amalekites. Their wives and children were taken as captives (1 Samuel 30: 6).

Question 3: Mention some situations that bring discouragement to youths today.

Discouragement can come as a result of persecution, such as denial of legitimate rights. Other situations include sickness, failure in examination, yielding to temptation, which brings guilt and Satan’s accusation, delayed expectation and challenges in the family. The greatest problem of the children of Israel, which accounted for their major setbacks during their wilderness journey was murmuring.

Unfortunately, rather than rely on the Lord for assistance to continue their journey to the Promised Land, they resorted to complaint. “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” (verse 5).

Question 4: What are the consequences of murmuring?

The Israelites were so discouraged that they did not only speak against Moses, but also against God. What a blasphemy! God could not stand the insult and had to punish them. “And the LORD sent fiery serpent among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (verse 6). Let us be very careful of our words, actions and attitudes in times of discouragement. Furthermore, murmuring leads to loss of relationship with God, backsliding, defeat, sickness and it hinders progress (Psalm 106:25,26).

PROVISION FOR DIVINE DELIVERANCE

Number 21:7-9; Isaiah 45:22; John 3:14-16; 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 3:21-26; 1 John 2:1, 2

“Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people” (verse 7). This is very similar to what David said in trying to make peace with God. “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgression unto the LORD, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5). The psalmist once again attested to this when he said, “a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17). No matter the sin committed, forgiveness can be obtained when one repents in faith. “And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten when he looketh upon it, shall live” (Numbers 21:8). The people had lost the favour of God by their faithless complaint. To regain His favour, divine provision was needed. Many Israelites had already lost their lives as a result of the bites of the fiery serpents. To replace death with life, a brazen serpent was lifted upon a pole. When the people looked at it, they lived. That which was lost by faithless expression, they could only regain by the act of faith in the lifted brazen serpent. By this act, the Lord was pointing to Christ as the divine remedy for sin. “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).

Question 5: What steps should sinners and backsliders take to receive forgiveness from God?

To receive forgiveness from God, the following steps must be taken:

One, repentance and confession of sin;

Two, looking to the Lord Jesus by faith, accepting Him as Saviour; and,

Three, believing on His atoning work on the cross.

After salvation, Christ is able to remove other consequences of sin like sicknesses, oppressions, afflictions, etc. (1 Peter 2:24).

POSSESSING THE LAND AND VICTORY OVER ENEMIES

Numbers 21:10-35,1-3; Exodus 15:1-3,14-16; Deuteronomy 8:18; Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

The children of Israel had just been forgiven by God and healed of the plague after Moses raised up the brazen serpent as He directed. After this encounter, they continued their journey. While on their journey, God displayed His love and mercy by providing for them when necessary.

Question 6: What should Christian youths do when they need supernatural interventions?

“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 21:16,17). As the children of Israel waited upon God, they sang and their needs were met. There are many occasions when we want God to intervene in our situations, which we cannot get through murmuring or complaining but by prayer and praise. The Scripture enjoins us to “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). Israel was courteous enough to ask for entry permit into the land of the Amorites.

They even said they would not cause them any economic loss. But Sihon, the king of Amorites, would not permit them. Rather, he “gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel” (Numbers 21:23). The refusal and confrontation of Sihon, king of the Amorites, came as a surprise since Israel was not confrontational in their request. Israel had even promised the Amorites of their desire for peace and wish to pass through the land of the Amorites without any burden or pressure on them. When Sihon, the king of the Amorites, decided not to tread the path of peace but rather go into conflict and confrontation with the children of Israel, he lost more. As Christian youths, we learn here that we should never rely on anyone or join them to fight against the will and way of God. Like the psalmist, we should be able to cry out to the Lord to “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man” (Psalm 60:11). We should also not be deterred when we are in the will of God. He will give us victory over our enemies (2 Chronicles 20:17).