“Make a snake image and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will recover.” —Numbers 21:8
After God granted the people of Israel a great victory, they once again gave in to grumbling and complaining; their contentment was short-lived. Because of their unbelief, God disciplined His people by sending poisonous snakes among them. They repented of doubting God’s goodness, and—as in the garden with Adam and Eve—He provided a way of rescue: a bronze serpent they were to look upon in faith so the venom would be completely neutralized. The cure for unbelief is faith.
In the same way, Christ had to be lifted up on a cross to bear our sins. Just as the serpent was a cursed creature, Jesus “became a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13), so that everyone who believes “may have eternal life in Him” (John 3:15). The Israelites were saved from the serpent’s poison by looking in faith to God’s provision, and we, too, are saved as we place all our trust in Christ alone. What an undeserved gift!
How is your faith today? Are you wrestling with unbelief? Remember that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
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Biblia Mujer Verdadera (True Woman Devotional Bible) © 2019 Editorial Portavoz (Gloria de Michelén)
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
How does the image of the Israelites looking up in faith challenge you to look to Christ rather than your own efforts or feelings?