For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. – 2 Corinthians 5:21
While the Israelites dwelled in the wilderness after fleeing Egypt, they waxed and often waned in faith. Discouraged by their surroundings and the challenges before them, the people complained that God had led them out into the desert to die. Despite the many miracles that led to their deliverance from slavery or the water, manna and quail He provided to sustain them or their victories over their enemies, they railed against God. In punishment, God sent “fiery serpents” to plague them and many died.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived” (Numbers 21:8-9).
Jesus Christ related this brazen serpent to Himself in John 3, saying, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). By faith, Jesus saves us today. While we may suffer and our earthly life may perish, we will enjoy eternal life. He has taken our sins upon Him and suffered the cross to save us and deliver us from ultimate consequence of the Law of God (Colossians 2:3-4).
Pray with me that all of God’s children will look to Jesus for deliverance today. Only He can deliver us.