Salvation explained - Brass Serpent in the Desert

[Amazing Grace Ministry]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I hope you are doing well this morning. Today, let us look at yet another example from the OT, regarding Salvation through Faith in Action (Works).

 
Brass Serpent in the Desert

A few years have gone by since the Israelites were released from the bondage of the Egyptians. They are journeying through the wilderness to reach the land, which God has promised them. To make the long story short, we see the Israelites having forgotten how wonderfully God released them from the bondage. In Numch21v5 we read about how  the Israelites started complaining to Moses and speaking against God, about their situation. They said, it was better to be in bondage and eat bread, than be free and suffer in the wilderness. I don't understand what they meant by suffering? They were fed miraculously with Quails, they even had the privilege to eat heavenly food "i.e. Manna". How forgetful they have become?

Because of their hardness of heart, God's becomes angry, and sends fiery serpents among them. The Bible says many people died because of the serpent bite. (Num ch21v6). In v7 we read, "therefore the people came to Moses". What bought them to Moses? The answer is, the danger and death that surrounded them. It opened their eyes, and made them realize that they have sinned. How many good lessons, Death teaches us. If only we could open our eyes and sense the danger this worldly life is leading us to?  What a blessed change it will bring in our lives too?

We see Moses, asking God to lift the curse, and the Lord being merciful, provides a way out. God asks Moses to make a serpent of brass and set it upon a pole, so that whoever is bitten might see the serpent and be saved. God didn't remove the curse, so that the people might be constantly reminded about how destructive sin was. Yet at the same time, our gracious Lord provided a way,  for those who repented and looked up to God in faith. What do we see here? FAITH in ACTION.

Of course, undeniable is the fact, that it is the GRACE of GOD that saved the people. If God was not willing to save them, they would have all perished. In the same way, God loves us and wants to redeem us from the destruction of sin "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life".

Do you understand how closely this incident relates to the sacrifice of Jesus. John ch3v14-16 says "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.

Tomorrow, we will move to the New Testament and look at one more example and conclude our discussion.

God Bless you

Tony Herold

Amazing Grace Ministry

 >>Share the good news<<

Everyday, we receive so many unsolicited emails, promising luck if forwarded to certain number of people, or else resulting in bad luck and so on. Surprisingly, I see many people believing in such superstitious things and doing exactly what is required. But when it comes to devotional articles, people tend to think twice before forwarding it and I wonder why. The truth is we Christians, have the responsibility of guiding others to God in every way possible. In Ezekiel ch33v7-10, says that the Lord has ordained us as a watchman to warn the world about the danger. If we don't warn the people, the Lord says "his blood will I require at thine hand".

 
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