Day 63 – Numbers 21-22

Talking Points

• God is leading His people into the Promised Land. God acts on their behalf, giving their enemies into their hands. He is their Protector and Provider. Still, it is a long journey.
• The grumbling and complaining is back. God becomes angry and releases His judgment in the form of fiery serpents that bite the people, resulting in their death. Always tempering His judgment with grace, God also gives a way for their salvation. A bronze serpent was raised on a standard or pole. If any person who was bitten would look upon the serpent, they would be delivered.
• The injured and perishing person had to take God at His Word and look upon the serpent for their deliverance. It was not forced, but done in faith. If they refused to look, they would die.
• This entire account is pointing to Jesus. In John 3, Jesus references this exact event as He prophecies His own death, lifted up on the cross of Calvary. Anyone inflicted and perishing can look up to Him and be saved. Judgment is tempered with grace.
• In these chapters, we have the strange account of Balaam and his talking donkey. God sends an angel as an adversary to stop Balaam from making the trip. I wonder how many times God puts people, situations, and things in our path to direct us away from sin, and we push right by and march on anyway.

Thoughts

Again and again, the Israelites, though greatly blessed, complain and grumble. It’s exhausting to see the pattern (even though it’s often ours, as well!). This time, it is as they become “impatient” with God’s timing and the length of the journey (21:4). Can you imagine?

Move forward several thousand years, and here we are. God is gracious and powerful. He sent our Savior Jesus, who physically rose from the dead, to offer us salvation. Get that — He rose from the dead. And, then, we have the audacity to complain and grumble about His timing. And, by “we,” I mean “me.” Can you imagine?

It all goes back to trust. Do I believe God is infinitely wise? Do I believe He is good and kind to me, and therefore, His plan really is best? Do I believe He is willing and powerful enough to bring it all perfectly together? Because, He is! Lord, I’m thankful for my Savior Jesus, and that, when I look upon Him, He saves me from my rebellion. Lord, I’m thankful for Your perfect plan and impeccable timing. Also — sorry, Lord.