“Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”
Context: Numbers 21 recounts an incident during the Israelites’ wilderness journey. The Israelites had been grumbling and complaining against God and Moses because of the challenges they faced in the desert. In response to their rebellion, God sent poisonous serpents among the people, and many were bitten and died. The verse in focus is the people’s acknowledgment of their sin and their plea to Moses for help.
Recognizing Sin: The first step in dealing with sin is acknowledging it. The Israelites admitted their sin, recognizing that they had spoken against the Lord and Moses. Sin is rebellion against God’s authority and a violation of His commandments. It is essential for us to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge our sins before God.
Confession and Repentance: The people’s admission of sin was not just an acknowledgment; it was accompanied by a plea for forgiveness. They recognized their need for God’s intervention and asked Moses to intercede on their behalf. Confession involves admitting our wrongdoings to God, seeking His forgiveness and turning away from sin. It is an essential step towards repentance.
Intercession: The Israelites turned to Moses, their leader, asking him to pray to the Lord on their behalf. Moses, as a mediator between God and the people, interceded for them. Intercession involves appealing to God on behalf of others. Moses’ role here demonstrates the importance of intercessory prayer, where a person acts as an intermediary, bringing the needs and requests of others before God.
God’s Mercy: The people’s cry for help did not go unanswered. Despite their rebellion, God responded with mercy. In the subsequent verses (Numbers 21:8-9), God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and lift it up on a pole. Those who looked at the bronze serpent with faith would be healed from the serpent bites. God’s mercy and provision demonstrate His willingness to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent and turn to Him.
Symbolism and Jesus’ Teaching: The incident recorded in Numbers 21:7-9 holds spiritual significance. In the New Testament, Jesus referred to this event as a type and foreshadowing of His own crucifixion and salvation. In John 3:14-15, Jesus said, “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.” Jesus likened Himself to the bronze serpent, indicating that just as looking at the serpent brought physical healing, looking to Him in faith brings eternal salvation.
Key Lessons:
- We must acknowledge our sins and confess them before God.
- Confession must be accompanied by genuine repentance and a turning away from sin.
- Intercessory prayer is powerful and can bring about God’s mercy and deliverance.
- God is merciful and willing to forgive those who genuinely repent.
- The bronze serpent incident foreshadows Jesus’ crucifixion and salvation, highlighting the need for faith in Him for eternal life.
Numbers 21:7 serves as a reminder of the importance of acknowledging sin, seeking forgiveness, and turning to God for mercy and deliverance. It also points us to Jesus Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him.
