THE SERPENT OF BRASS
Numbers 21:4-9

Victor M. Eskew

 

          The land of Edom was located just south of the land of Canaan.  It was inhabited by the Edomites who were the descendants of Esau.  When the children of Israel were making their way toward the Promised Land, they went around Edom instead of going through it.  “And they journeyed from mount Hor by way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom…” (Num. 20:4).  It was during this part of the wilderness wandering that Israel learned an important lesson about speaking against God and His appointed leaders.  In this article, we want to examine Numbers 20:4-9.  We have entitled this article:  “The Serpent of Brass.”

          THE SITUATION is revealed in the last part of Numbers 20:4.  “…and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.”  God took care of the Israelites as they journeyed to Canaan, but the way was not always easy.  Such was the case at this time.  Because the way was hard, Israel became discouraged.  The definition of “discouraged” is “to lose heart.”  The people were growing hungry, thirsty, and tired.  As a whole, they were depressed because of their present circumstances.

          Instead of enduring, the people spoke out.  We read of THE SPITE in Numbers 20:5.  “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.”  Their words express a failing faith.  Their lack of trust caused them to blaspheme God and their leader.  They spoke against God, and against Moses.  It caused them to lie.  “…ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness.”  It also caused them to cease having appreciation for their blessings.  “…and our soul loatheth this light bread,” that is, the manna God gave to the people every morning except the Sabbath.  When we look into the history of Israel, we might sympathize with them a bit.  They had been in the wilderness quite some time.  They had experienced difficulties and hardships.  The land promise that had been made to them had not been fulfilled.  Their patience ran thin.  When they could no longer contain, they spoke out in opposition to their leaders.  They voiced their complaints and frustrations.  We sympathize with them because minor irritants often cause us to speak out in spite.  There have been some who have quit the church over little things.

          God, however, did not appreciate man’s negative attitudes and evil words spoken against Him and Moses.  Thus, THE SERPENTS were sent in among the people.  “And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (Num. 20:6).  God is not one who fails to discipline His people when they need it.  Fiery snakes were sent into the camp of Israel.  Their bite burned like fire.  The pain must have been excruciating.  Many of the Israelites died from the bites of those serpents.  God was teaching Israel that patience is a noble virtue.  Too, He taught them to be thankful for the blessings that were theirs to enjoy from the hand of God.

          Israel changed their minds rather quickly while suffering great affliction.  THE SORROW of Israel is described in Number 20:7a.  “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.”  Stern discipline often changes the heart of the ones who are in sin.  Israel ceased to speak against God.  Instead, they confessed their sinfulness.  They also asked for Moses to make supplication for them.  While in their sinful condition, their prayers would not avail much at all.

          THE SUPPLICATION is noted in Numbers 20:7b.  “…And Moses prayed for the people.”  This was a man who deeply loved the nation of Israel.  He had taken the brunt of their accusations on many occasions.  He could have easily ceased to have any desire to pray on their behalf.  However, his compassion for his people would not allow that.  Thus, he prayed for the people.  It would have been interesting to have heard the words that poured forth from his lips on their behalf. 

          The Bible teaches us that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).  Moses prayed and the Lord responded to his prayer.  The response came in the form of THE SERPENT.  “And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it up upon a pole:  and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live” (Num. 20:8).  It is interesting that God did not immediately command the serpents to leave the camp.  His plan consisted in a line of faith being drawn.  Moses was to mold a serpent of brass and put it on a pole.  He then commanded the children of Israel to look upon the serpent.  Those who obeyed would live.  Note that many people continued to be bitten.  Now, however, there was a plan for them to be saved.  That plan consisted in each Israelite engaging in a simple act of trust.

          THE SALVATION of the Israelites is reported in Numbers 20:9.  “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.”  Here are some questions to consider.  First, was there any healing power in the serpent of brass?  No.  Second, did God require an obedient faith on the part of Israel before they lived?  Yes.  Third, when the Jews looked upon the serpent in order to live were they practicing “works salvation”?  No.  These individuals had to believe God and obey His words about looking upon the serpent to be healed.  Their lives were still a gift from God even though they had to obey.  Even though they obeyed, they still experienced salvation by the grace of God.

          There is a simple application of this event for men today.  Man is lost in sin (Rom. 3:19, 23).  If man persists in his sins he will die (Rom. 6:23).  God has devised a plan to save sinful man.  This plan consists of faith, but not faith only.  God has drawn a line of faith once again.  He commands individuals to be baptized in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).  Those who believe and obey will live.  Just as the Israelites obeyed and lived.  There is no power in the water.  It is simply an obedient faith that is displayed.  Those who obey still experience salvation by grace through faith.  This is not “works salvation” as some argue.  It is simply the means God has chosen that enables man to manifest his faith.  James summed it up well.  “Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?  Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:  and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (Jam. 2:20-24).