The Brazen Serpent

“And the Lord said unlo 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.” — Num. xxi. 8, 9.

No mistake about the application of the type, Christ Himself gives it: “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 iii. 14, 15). I. What the sin was.

1. Discouragement (Ps. cvi. 24; lxxviii. 22).

2. Spake against God and against Moses.

3. Untruth: “no bread... no water.”

4. Dissatisfaction with God’s provision of manna.

All this was “tempting Christ” (1 Cor. x. 9).

II. The punishment. “And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (ver. 6). The bite fatal, so the Devil’s bite of sin. Implied in the Hebrew word, “flying serpent” (Isa. xxx. 8). Satan “goeth about,”

nothing out of his reach but what is in Christ’s hand. “Fiery,” beginning of the worm that never dies, the “everlasting burnings.” Probably the bite induced fever and thirst.

III. The remedy. The serpent of brass, same form but no venom. “Christ made sin for us, who knew no sin” (2 Cor. v. 21). The curst (Gen. iii. 14; and Gal. iii. 13). Thus doubly Christ was made a curse for us.

“Lifted up.” So on Calvary, conspicuous, known, seen. So now: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me” (John xii. 32); every time Christ is proclaimed.

“Must be lifted up” (ver. 14); compare Christ’s (i musts” for our sakes.

Remedy devised by God. “Yet doth He devise means” (2 Sam. xiv. 14); contrary to human reason or supposition.

No other remedy. Suppose an Israelite thinking the remedy too simple, too unlikely, trying some 1 ’ first rate stuff,” or going to the priest or physicians; all in vain, only one appointed way (Acts iv. 12).

All could see, so no excuse; all may look now.

Result of looking: life. “It shall come to pass “; “It came to pass.”

Instant cure. “When he looketh” — that moment — now/

Are you looking now? If so, “saved.” If not, unsaved; the deadly bite working certain death. Suppose an Israelite saying, “Yes, all very true; but I’m tired to-night,” or “going to have my supper.” If you found the serpent had bit you, you would soon drop forks. {e.g.: Describe a real scene at a supper table where many were assembling after a mission service. There were some still unsaved ones there, and the sting of sin was so bitter that they could not eat, could not conceal their distress; and then and there we all knelt down, and then and there they looked and lived. Then, with every face bright, cured, and happy, how joyful that supper time was.)

Must look for yourself; no one can look for you.” Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another” (Job xix. 27). In the last day no choice about looking then, but too late for the saving look.

Command: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isa. xlv. 22). No* option; going on in disobedience as well as danger, if you don’t look.

Waiting till better: device of Satan.

No condition.” Whosoever, “only look, * ’ every one,” “any man.” “And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day” (John vi. 40).

Must know you are bitten, or you won’t look. Fancy an Israelite saying,” Don’t see that I’m so very pdorly; not quite right perhaps, but not like that poor fellow dying there,” etc., etc.

Cure never failed. Ver. 19: “Any man... he lived.” “If any man... shall live for ever.... He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life” (John vi. 51, 47). Believe it! Israelite didn’t need to feel his pulse, he lived and knew it. Take God at His word, and He will take you at yours.

Not only ?iot perish, but live, have everlasting life. What does that imply? Everlasting salvation, joy, light, love, and with Him (1 Thess. v. 10). “Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory” (John xvii. 24). Contrast the word perish and life. God knows what that word “perish” means. Jesus knows, and therefore pleads with you. The Devil knows, and hushes up the meaning. You don’l know yet, but it’s a terrible certainty.

What will it be to be lost for want of a look! Devil taunting through all eternity. “You might have been saved if you would have looked, and you wouldn’t.” And you risk this if you don’t look to-night.

You who have looked:

i. Tell others; fancy an Israelite cured, and quietly watching others dying, without a word.

2. Keep on looking. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. xii. 2). Many a little snap after the great bite is cured, but looking is both prevention and cure. “But mine eyes are unto Thee, O God” (Ps. cxli. 8). “Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes” (Ps. cxxi. 1).

3. The “look” now, the long blessed gaze then. “Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty” (Isa. xxxiii. 17).

“Is it for me to see Thee

In all Thy glorious grace,

And gaze with endless rapture

On Thy beloved face?”