V.1-3 Israel makes an agreement with the Lord.
V.4-9 All works well. But are the people of Israel happy? (1) They spoke against God and Moses; (2) they ask why they were ever delivered out of Egypt; (3) Told an untruth — they had bread, the manna — they had water Numbers 20:11 and (4) they loathed (despised) the manna. The Lord sends fiery serpents; when the people were bitten, they died. The people confess, “we have sinned.” How seldom we believers say this to the Lord, finding other things to blame, seldom ourselves. The whole story is a remarkable picture of sin and salvation through the Lord Jesus being lifted up on the cross (read John 3:14-15). One look to Christ is life; one look at the serpent was healing. Jesus was made sin for us who believe (2 Cor. 5:21).
V.16 How gracious of the Lord. He loves to gather people together!
V.17 The result — they sing. The Lord Jesus is our well (John 4:14-15).
V.21-35 The different races of people feared, resented, hated and were jealous of the Israelites. Each enemy had one of these characteristics. We believers find ourselves surrounded by spiritual enemies today (2 Cor. 10:3-6; Eph. 6:10-17). Even other believers criticize us when we speak or write the truth (Gal. 4:16). But let us not fear. Notice what the Lord did in these verses for Israel.