VENOMOUS SNAKES

The children of Israel were punished by snakes, biting them due to the sin of rebellion. However, God, in His mercy, provided a way for Israelites to be saved from the venomous bites. He instructed Moses to make a serpent-like figure out of gold and place it on a pole. Whoever looked at this bronze serpent would be healed and saved from the deadly venom.

This account serves as a powerful metaphor for the salvation and redemption available to people today affected by sin's venom. Sin is often described as a spiritual poison that corrupts and separates individuals from God, leading to spiritual death. Just as the Israelites were facing physical death from the snake bites, the consequences of sin can lead to spiritual death and eternal separation from God.

However, God, in His everlasting mercy and love, provided a solution to this problem. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take on the sins of the world and provide a way for humanity to be saved. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for sin in His crucifixion on the cross. He bore the penalty of sin, the venomous poison, on behalf of all who would believe in Him.

When a person today is affected by the venom of sin, the remedy is found in looking to Jesus Christ, just as the Israelites looked up at the bronze serpent. By acknowledging our sinfulness, repenting of our wrongdoing, and placing our faith in Jesus, we can receive salvation and be freed from the power and penalty of sin.

Through Jesus' sacrifice, forgiveness is granted, and we are reconciled to God. We are transformed from spiritual death to spiritual life. The venom of sin is neutralized through the cleansing power of Jesus' blood shed on the cross.

It is important to note that salvation is not a result of our efforts or good deeds. It is a gift of God's grace, freely offered to all who believe. As the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast."

In conclusion, just as the bronze serpent provided healing and salvation for the children of Israel, Jesus Christ, through His sacrifice on the cross, offers salvation and redemption to all who believe in Him. By acknowledging our sins, repenting, and placing our faith in Jesus, we can be saved from the venom of sin and restored to a relationship with God. The key is to look to Jesus, the Savior, and accept the gift of salvation that He offers.

Yes, the story of the brazen serpent can be found in the Bible in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Numbers, chapter 21, verses 4-9. Here is the passage from the New International Version (NIV):

"4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea,[a] to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 5 they spoke against God and Moses, and said, '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 miserable food!'

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 spoke against the Lord and you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people.

8 The Lord said to Moses, 'Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.' 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived."

This passage describes the events that led to the creation of the bronze serpent and how it provided healing and salvation to the Israelites who looked upon it in faith.

By: John U. Ordillo