Numbers 21:4-9 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom… I. THE CAUSE WHICH PRODUCED IT. 1. On man's side it was sin. In vers. 4, 5, what ingratitude and rebellion. The people were safe, and enjoying manna, yet discontented. Can you wonder at judgment? (ver. 6). Was it not so in Eden? First parents were safe, happy; manna of Paradise, yet discontented. Can you wonder that they fell under the curse? The serpent had bitten them. 2. On God's side it was grace. In ver. 7, you see terror; yet what plea? Only pity! Nevertheless vouchsafed (ver. 8). Precisely so with our deliverance. When God beheld a race defiled and poisoned with the fiery serpent bite of sin, why did He interfere? (Job 33:24). It was all of grace (John 3:16). II. THE CHARACTER WHICH MARKED IT. Somewhat singular that the Lord should have chosen to heal His people by bidding them look at a brazen serpent. He might have healed by a word; yet He chose the most hideous object. Why? for several reasons. 1. It was an appointment without any natural attraction. A piece of brass. The image of a serpent. Cold reason cried out, "Of what use is that? It is repulsive, not attractive. We will not believe. Let us reject it." Was it not so with the Cross? (Isaiah 53:2, 3; 1 Corinthians 1:23). 2. It was an emblem of the curse, without its hatefulness. Notice, it was a serpent, yet not taken from the wilderness. It was like the fiery serpents, but without their poison. So with the Lord Jesus. A Man in the "likeness of sinful flesh," but not from the sons of Adam. Without sin. Hence the curse was represented, but not embodied. Enough to give validity to atonement, but not enough to invalidate atonement. 3. It was an object of faith, without limit to its efficacy. Elevated on high for all, even for most distant spectators. So with the Cross of Christ elevated for all (John 12:32). What limit? Age? (Young Timothy and St. Paul the aged.) Class? (Rich Joseph and wretched Lazarus.) Guilt? (Mary Magdalene and dying thief.) Listen, then, ye who say, "Gospel not for me." True, you can do nothing; but you can look (Isaiah 45:22). III. THE CONSEQUENCES WHICH RESULT FROM IT. With Israelites the poison was extracted, pain abated, health restored. It is so still. Come by faith to Jesus. Sin pardoned, conscience pacified, soul renewed. In one word, salvation. See this a little more fully. 1. Perfect salvation. We read of no return of the serpents. The people healed were relieved from the curse altogether. No half-salvation. It is so with all believers. If you have found Christ, you are fully pardoned. No reservations (1 John 1:7). 2. Instant salvation. When life was fainting, as the sufferers looked, their strength returned in a moment. Just as one penitent look to the crucified Christ brings a present salvation. Not a thing put off. "He that believeth hath everlasting life." 3. Free salvation. These Israelites had not to walk to the pole, had not to use their own remedies. Only to look in their misery, and to live. Why should it be otherwise now? Perhaps some of you feel the bites of conscience; yet you have no peace. It may be that you rest too much on your own remedies. You do not see that all has been done, and that now the gift is free. In conclusion, let me speak to you who have looked, and who live. Do not think yourselves beyond danger. Like Israel, you may murmur or backslide. If so — (1) Expect chastening. (2) Come again and again to the Cross. Never beyond the need of that till death. (J. H. Titcomb, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And 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. |
    |