Life for a Look

Background Scripture: Numbers 21
Lesson Scripture: Numbers 21:4-9; John 3:14-16; 12:32

Introduction

Various explorers throughout history have sought for the mythical fountain of youth, hoping to gain access to endless good health, a place beyond the limits of physical degeneration. All such expeditions have turned up empty. In contrast, a dying man hanging on a cross with only a few hours left to live uttered the words “Lord, remember me” and gained paradise. In his darkest hour he looked to the only One who could save him. Today, may we too look to the Lamb of God, for only He can give life everlasting.

Key Verse

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:2).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Prior to the opening of our lesson, the Israelites had won a great victory over the Canaanites. As they traveled around the border of Edom, the land settled by the descendants of Esau, the people became very discouraged. The terrain in that part of the world (the present-day country of Jordan) is rocky and arid with limited natural water and few green pastures. Apparently, the Israelites focused on the difficulty of the path rather than on their destination, the promised land. Moses had been leading them closer to God’s rest, but the people’s primary concern was their perceived lack of provisions, which they repeatedly complained about. In this poor frame of mind, they even maligned the miraculous manna that God had been providing for their daily sustenance.

As the of ingratitude reached God’s throne, fiery serpents appeared among the people. The Middle East is home to horned vipers, puff-adders, and cobras, all venomous snakes capable of causing painful, toxic bites. Evidently, the creatures were numerous since many people died as a result. However, death must not have been instantaneous, since later some had opportunity to look upon the brazen serpent and still live.

The people quickly realized that their afflictions were the result of their previous grumbling. They started the process of healing by coming to Moses in repentance and confessing their sin. They pleaded that he might pray to the Lord to take away the serpents. However, instead of removing the danger, God gave Moses a plan that provided an antidote to the effects of the deadly venom. We are not told how long it took Moses to make this metal serpent nor exactly what it looked like, but we are told that it was effective. God always keeps his promises, and He revealed his mercy by saving those who followed his directions: look and live. There was nothing more they needed to do. Reading this today, it seems so simple, but one may wonder how many people died simply because they refused to avail themselves of the solution provided.

After this period of cleansing, God again gave his people victory in battle over their enemies, and they were able to conquer new territory. Many years later, the Israelites lost sight of how they were saved from the fiery serpents. Instead of giving credit to God, the people were burning incense to the snake image and worshiping it as an idol. In the days of the divided kingdom, King Hezekiah purged many idols from the land. He finally destroyed the brazen serpent so it could no longer be a deterrent from worshiping the true God (2 Kings 18:4).

Practical Truths for Today

Every person has been poisoned by the seed of sin that was passed down to the whole human race since the first sin in the garden of Eden. Romans 6:23 tells us that the “the wages of sin is death.” This bite of sin will be eternally fatal unless we seek the one and only remedy God has provided. He desires to have a restored relationship with us and does not want anyone to perish. It matters not if we have only recently become aware of our need of a savior, if we have walked with Him closely for a time and fallen away, or if we have only been serving self and are fully ensnared by the evil one—there is a solution. The grace of God allowed time and strength for the children of Israel to look upon the brass serpent and be healed. This same God today gives us life, breath, and opportunity to turn and look upon the Savior. When we open our hearts and earnestly desire Him to heal us, He is faithful to show us the next step to take.

Sometimes it can be a temptation to think there is something we must do first before God will accept and heal us. If the children of Israel would have attempted to somehow become well on their own before they were willing to look upon the brazen serpent, only too late they would have realized that delay meant certain death. We must look to Christ first; He is our only answer. God accepts us just as we are. Attempting to cover up, dress up, or give ourselves some allowance is not looking to Christ; it is being hypocritical and unwilling to face the true state of our sinful condition.

How often are we guilty of having a complaining spirit like the Israelites had? Such an attitude leads us to overlook the blessings God has given and the ways He provides for our physical and spiritual needs. Instead we become focused on our circumstances or things about other people that we wish were different. Jesus left us a perfect example in how He endured the cruel death on the cross. As humans, we are drawn to comfort and ease, naturally shying away from tasks that appear difficult, stressful, or unpleasant. There are so many things around us that clamor for our attention; however, the long-term consequences of having only a near-sighted, earthly focus will be eternally devastating. When our gaze remains on the Savior, we will be able to withstand the attacks of the Evil One when he seeks to turn us out of the narrow way. A verse in song states it very simply and beautifully:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.1

Keeping our eyes fixed on the Lord is also a defense on the battleground of thought life and fears in our mind. Fear can cause us to lose hope that God has a way for us. When the apostle Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to walk on the water, which was something no other mortal man had experienced before. His capability waned as he took his eyes off Jesus, noticing instead the wind and the waves. When his focus shifted, the power also left him, and he began to sink. Our Lord is as faithful in this day of grace as He was to Peter. Let us look again to Him and cry out in faith, “Lord, save me.” He will reach down again with his arms of love.

Questions

1. Are we ever at risk of lifting up something physical or tangible and worshiping it as a solution instead of God?
2. Is confession always a prerequisite to salvation? How do we know if we have fully confessed our sin?
3. A bite from one of the serpents brought death to the Israelite. What are the things of the world that, as we partake of them, are like a poisonous bite?
4. 1 Helen Lemmel, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” Great Gospel Songs and Hymns
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).