What does Numbers 21:6 reveal about God's response to Israel's disobedience?

Scripture Focus

“Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.” (Numbers 21:6)

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Key Truths Revealed

• God responds actively and decisively to covenant disobedience.

• His discipline is severe enough to arrest the nation’s rebellion.

• The judgment underscores His holiness and intolerance of persistent complaint (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4).

• Suffering functions as a call to repentance and renewed trust (cf. Hebrews 12:6).

• Even punitive acts flow from covenant faithfulness—He will not let sin stand unchallenged (cf. Amos 3:2).

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Broader Biblical Echoes

• Egypt’s plagues (Exodus 7–12) show the same pattern of targeted judgment.

• The ground-swallowing of Korah’s rebels (Numbers 16:31-35) prefigures this serpent episode.

• The bronze serpent that follows (Numbers 21:8-9) points ahead to Christ lifted up for salvation (John 3:14-15), revealing mercy in the midst of judgment.