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“God’s Solution for Sin (Num. 21:4-9)”
God’s Solution for Sin (Num. 21:4-9)
Wade Webster
Someone has said that history is His story. That is certainly true of the text that we are examining. As you likely recall, Jesus used the event recorded in our text to speak of His own death (John 3:10-17). Thus, our assigned text not only gives us God’s solution for sin in Moses’ time, but for our time. That fact makes it extremely relevant for us. In the short space that we have, we will consider five comparisons between the two texts.
The solution for sin was Supplied. The children of Israel came to Moses confessing their sin and asking him to intercede for them with God. They wanted Moses to ask God to take the snakes away. The text reveals that Moses did as he was asked (Num. 21:7). Interestingly, the text does not reveal whether or not God. sent the serpents away. Perhaps. He did. Perhaps, He didn’t. What we do know is that God supplied the solution - a brazen serpent on a pole (Num. 21:8-9). The brazen serpent was a gift of God’s grace. They did nothing to earn or deserve it. The solution came by the revelation of God and not by the imagination of man. Probably, the last thing that those who had been bitten wanted to look on was an another fiery serpent. Yet, that was God’s solution. In like manner, Jesus was supplied by God. We read, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven…For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:13, 16-17; cf. Gal. 4:4). Jesus is the gift of God’s grace (Heb. 2:9).
The solution for sin was Suspended. By suspended, I don’t mean that God’s solution was put on hold. I mean that it was put on a pole (Num. 21:8-9). It was lifted up for all to see. In like manner, Jesus was going to be suspended or lifted up. We read, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14; cf. 8:28; 12:32-33; Gal. 3:13).
The solution for sin was Singular. God did not instruct Moses to make multiple serpents and display them on multiple poles in multiple locations.. He instructed him to make just one serpent (Num. 21;8-9). Those who wanted to be saved had to look on that one serpent. They were not left to choose the serpent of their choice or to go to the pole closest to their house. There was just one solution. In like manner, God gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16-17). The only way to the Father, salvation, and eternal life is through Him (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The solution for sin was Shining. The serpent is described as brazen and fiery (Num. 21:8-9). Brazen describes the material from which the serpent was made - brass. Fiery likely describes the poisonous and painful bite of the serpents that God sent among the people. It may also describe the shiny or glorious appearance of the brazen serpent. The brazen serpent must have appeared like fire in the sun. In like manner, Jesus was shining and glorious. We read, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:14, 18; 2:11; 3:16; Heb. 1:3; 2 Pet. 1:16-17).
The solution for sin was Sufficient. The fiery serpents were deadly. Many died before God’s solution was given (Num. 21:6). After the solution was given, those who looked on the brazen serpent lived. In like manner, those who look to Jesus or believe in Him enjoy eternal life (John 3:15-17; cf. Rom. 6:23). He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly (John 10:10).
All of us have sinned and been bitten bitten by the Old Serpent (Rom. 3:23; Rev. 12:9; 20:2). We are alive today because God in His grace provided us with the solution (Heb. 2:9). Let’s continue to look to Jesus that we might live (Heb. 12:2; 1 John 5:11).
