” And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”
Context: Numbers 21 records the events during the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness after they had been delivered from slavery in Egypt. In this particular verse, the Israelites had become discouraged and discontented, speaking against God and Moses.
Consequences of Complaining: The Israelites’ complaining and speaking against God and Moses led to divine discipline. As a consequence, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and these serpents bit the people, causing many to die. It serves as a reminder that complaining and murmuring can have severe consequences.
Symbolism of Fiery Serpents: The fiery serpents sent by God symbolize the consequences of sin and rebellion. Just as the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the fiery serpents were a visible manifestation of the spiritual danger and deadly effects of the people’s sin and rebellion against God.
The Need for Repentance: The incident with the fiery serpents serves as a wake-up call for the Israelites, prompting them to recognize their sin and turn back to God. The painful consequences of their complaining and rebellion led them to acknowledge their wrongdoing and seek God’s forgiveness and mercy.
God’s Provision of Deliverance: Although the people faced the consequences of their sin, God did not leave them without hope. In the following verse (Numbers 21:7), the Israelites acknowledged their sin and asked Moses to intercede on their behalf. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole, and whoever looked at it would be healed and spared from death.
Jesus Christ as the Fulfillment: The incident with the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:8-9 foreshadows the salvation and healing found in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, Jesus referred to this event, saying, “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). Just as the Israelites looked to the bronze serpent for physical healing, we are called to look to Jesus Christ, who was lifted up on the cross for our spiritual healing and salvation.
In summary, Numbers 21:6 demonstrates the consequences of complaining and rebellion against God. It teaches us the importance of recognizing our sin, repenting, and seeking God’s forgiveness. Moreover, it points forward to Jesus Christ as the ultimate source of healing and salvation.
