Topical Bible: Israel: are Scourged With Fiery Serpents

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The episode of Israel being scourged with fiery serpents is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, illustrating both divine judgment and mercy. This event is found in the Book of Numbers, specifically in Numbers 21:4-9. It serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the power of faith and repentance.

Context and Background

The Israelites, having been delivered from slavery in Egypt, were journeying through the wilderness towards the Promised Land. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, including the parting of the Red Sea and the provision of manna, the people frequently complained against God and Moses. Their journey was marked by a cycle of rebellion, punishment, repentance, and deliverance.

The Incident

As the Israelites traveled from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom, they became impatient and spoke against God and Moses. They lamented their situation, questioning why they had been brought out of Egypt to die in the wilderness, expressing disdain for the manna provided by God. Numbers 21:5 records their complaint: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this wretched food!"

In response to their rebellion, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people. These serpents bit the Israelites, and many died. The term "fiery" likely refers to the burning pain caused by the bites or the appearance of the serpents. This severe punishment was a direct consequence of their ingratitude and lack of faith.

Repentance and Deliverance

Realizing their sin, the people came to Moses and confessed, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD to take the serpents away from us" (Numbers 21:7). Moses, acting as an intercessor, prayed for the people.

In His mercy, God provided a means of deliverance. He instructed Moses to make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. God promised that anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent and live. Moses obeyed, crafting a bronze serpent and mounting it on a pole. Numbers 21:9 states, "So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever a snake bit someone, he looked at the bronze snake and lived."

Theological Significance

This event is rich in theological meaning. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance. The fiery serpents were a direct result of the people's rebellion, yet God's provision of the bronze serpent highlights His readiness to forgive and heal those who turn back to Him in faith.

The bronze serpent also serves as a typological foreshadowing of Christ's crucifixion. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to this event in John 3:14-15 , saying, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life." Here, the lifting up of the serpent is paralleled with the lifting up of Christ on the cross, offering salvation to all who look to Him in faith.

Conclusion

The scourging of Israel with fiery serpents is a profound narrative that illustrates the interplay of divine justice and mercy. It serves as a timeless lesson on the consequences of sin, the importance of repentance, and the provision of salvation through faith.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 21:4-9
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Concerning Persecution
... Before Israel got to Canaan, a land flowing with milk ... to the holy land must meet
with fiery serpents and a ... the confines of Bohemia have been scourged to death ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... his rays with a less bright and fiery splendour; thus ... but they have not grieved;
Thou hast scourged them, but ... word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

Letter xxii. To Eustochium.
... of faith, for it alone can quench the fiery darts of the ... though you have patriarchs
for brothers and Israel for a ... for He had ordered me to be scourged"I was ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxii to eustochium.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... Though Israel had a sharp voyage through the wilderness, yet Caleb and Joshua, men
of excellent spirits, had their eye upon the good land they were going to. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

The Greatness of the Soul,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the greatness of the soul.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, have not obtained it ... threatenings,
fearful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

part i
... These words will be like fiery scourges to the proud spirit, and he, shamed
by your firmness and spiritual wisdom, will flee from you. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... There is the fiery gehenna, the lake of fire, the terrible Tartarus, at which even ...
Sins are"secret serpents, gnawing at the heart of a man and all his being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm