Numbers 21:4-9
4And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.
5And 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.
6And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
7Therefore 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.
8And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9And 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.
1. The PEOPLE
A. They DISRESPECTED God’s PERSON
Numbers 11:1a
“Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord.”
Numbers 21:5
“And the people spoke against God.”
Numbers 14:2
“And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, …
Numbers 16:41
“On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses…
Numbers 17:12
“And the children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Surely we die, we perish, we all perish!’
B. They DOUBTED God’s PROMISE
Numbers 21:5b
“Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?”
C. They DESPISED God’s PROVISION
Numbers 21:5c
“For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”
John 6:41
“I am the bread which came down from heaven.”
They DISOWNED God’s PROPHET
Numbers 21:5b
For the people spake against God, and against Moses…
2. The PUNISHMENT
Numbers 21:6
“So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.”
A. These Serpents Were DESERVED
B. These Serpents Were DANGEROUS
The Lord sent fiery serpents…
C. These Serpents Were DEADLY
Numbers 21:6
“And many of the people of Israel died.”
3. The PERQUISITE
A. There Must Be CONVICTION
Numbers 21: 7a
“Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, ‘We have sinned.’
B. There Must Be CONFESSION
Numbers 21: 7b
“We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you.”
C. There Must Be CONTRITION
Numbers 21:7c
The people came to Moses, and said, “Pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us. So Moses prayed for the people.”
4. The PROVISION
Numbers 21:6
“Then the Lord said to Moses.”
John 3:14-15
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
A. God’s Provision was INFALLIBLE
Romans 10:13
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.”
B. God’s Provision is INDIVIDUAL
Romans 10:9
If thou shalt confess with THY mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe with THY heart that God has raised him from the dead THOU shalt be saved.
C. God’s Provision is INSTANTANEOUS
Isaiah 45:22
“Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”