WALK THE TALK / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Our goal is not just “to know” but to “act upon what we know.” (His Word, Our Walk!) We encourage you to discuss the following questions with family, friends or your group. For Discussion: 1. What did you learn from the story of the “ on a pole?” 2. How does this account in Numbers 21 help you understand and the cross? 3. How can understanding this chapter help you with sharing your faith?

March 14 & 15, 2020 | The #7 | Dennis Miller, pastor TWO LESSONS FOR THIS SERIES 1. The purpose of the Book of Numbers is to encourage you to TRUST God as you face the joys and the trials of life. (Types) 2. In the Book of Numbers we find HOPE “in the desert”. LAST WEEK WE LEARNED Num. 20:1 In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. 1. Since leaving Egypt, 39 YEARS have passed. It was now a matter of WEEKS until the people entered the Promised Land. 2. Miriam, and ALL over 20 years of age when leaving Egypt were now dead. This is a NEW generation. PROBLEM #1 AND TURNING TO GOD Num. 21:1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them. 2 Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.” 3 The LORD listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah. 1. This young generation of Israelites was a THREAT to the people of , so the King of Arad tried to STOP them. 2. The people PRAYED to the Lord for HELP and He delivered THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 them from these enemies. This is their FIRST victory! by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. PROBLEM #2 AND TURNING AWAY FROM GOD PROMISE AND PROPHECY FROM GOD Num. 21:4 They traveled from along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Num. 21:8 The LORD said to , “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone . But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and against who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” they lived. 1. After 39 years of travel, the Israelites suddenly became 1. God’s answer was IMMEDIATE. He told Moses to make a extremely IMPATIENT. Why? Because they had gotten so bronze SNAKE and put it on a POLE. CLOSE but now had to go the LONG way around. a. Bronze was the picture of JUDGMENT. Num 20:17 Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will travel along the King’s Highway and not b. God didn’t REMOVE the but provided a turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.” 18 But Edom answered: “You may not pass through here; if you try, we will march out and attack you REMEDY for those who had been bitten. Why snakes? with the sword.” 19 The Israelites replied: “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on c. The pole is another REMINDER of judgment. foot—nothing else.” 20 Again they answered: “You may not pass through.” Then Edom Deut. 21: 23 . . . because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. came out against them with a large and powerful army. 21 Since Edom refused to let them go through their territory, Israel turned away from them. 2. Those who LOOKED at the bronze snake were healed. Note 2. As often happens, impatience led to GRUMBLING about that God’s remedy was STRANGE, SINGULAR and everything. Their complaints are specific: SUFFICIENT. a. Against GOD 3. In the New Testament, we understand the TYPE of Christ that is used in this story. JESUS used this account b. Against MOSES from Numbers to TEACH Nicodemus. c. Against God’s PROVISIONS :12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except (This is the 8th and LAST of the complaints of the Israelites in the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes the Book of Numbers.) may have eternal life in him.” PUNISHMENT FROM GOD The application is obvious: Num. 21:6 Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. 7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we a. We have ALL been bitten by the “SNAKE” of sin. spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. b. God won’t REMOVE the sin from our world, but He did 1. God had responded STRONGLY to Israel’s complaints in the provide a REMEDY. past and He does so AGAIN. c. Anyone who LOOKS at Jesus on the cross (the snake saraph) snakes as punishment. on the pole) will be healed. (It is strange, singular and , ָשׂ ָרף) The Lord sent FIERY .2 The word fiery probably refers to the PAIN of the venom. sufficient.) 1Cor. 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are 3. After MANY Israelites died, others came to Moses and perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. asked him to PRAY for them. What would you have done if 4. The problem has ALWAYS been the stubbornness of you were Moses? mankind to accept God’s SOLUTION. 4. Moses, the kind and caring leader, DID pray for the people. 2Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan. )