The Lord Jesus in this scripture refers to a striking incident which occurred during the journey of the children of Israel from Egypt to Canaan. This incident is recorded in Num. 21. The people were discouraged because of the way, and were complaining about the lack of water. They were tired of the manna, the daily bread sent from heaven. They seemed to forget that they were on the way to the "promised land," the land "flowing with milk and honey.”
Their complaining displeased the Lord and led to the awful punishment of being bitten by the fiery serpents. Here in the midst of this scene we have a most beautiful foreshadowing of "the Lamb of God" lifted up on Calvary—the brazen serpent.
Let us picture to ourselves a scene in the wilderness camp of Israel. Fiery serpents are seen everywhere in the camp. Their bite is fatal; death is inevitable to every bitten one. The camp is all confusion. Many are already dead. Some are dying, perhaps in an agony of pain. Others not yet bitten are trembling with fear. Death stares everyone in the face. What a woeful sight it is!
Now the people begin to realize their guilt. They cry: "We have sinned!" Moses cries to God on their behalf. Does the Lord hear? Ah, yes. Did ever a needy one cry to Him in vain? The Lord hears; but instead of taking away the fiery serpents, He, in His love and mercy, provides a way for bitten ones to be healed. Moses is commanded to make a serpent of brass and raise it upon a pole, and every one that looks upon it shall live.
What blessed tidings to the people! From many a fearful heart a shout of joy goes forth as by a simple look at the serpent lifted up they are healed.
Perhaps one says, as his healed neighbor comes with the good news, "That's too good to be true. How can a man be healed by looking on a serpent of brass?”
Another might say, "My case is too far advanced to be healed in a manner so simple as that.”
“Ah, my friend," says his neighbor, "you are the very one that needs healing, and the very one for whom the serpent was lifted up. I heard Moses say that it was for every one that was bitten. My friend, you are dying! Look and live.”
Another one says to a friend, "Have you not been bitten?”
"Oh, yes; but it is so slight I hardly need take any notice of it.”
"But if you are bitten, you must look or you will die." "Oh, look at that poor man over there. If anyone needs to look, I am sure it is he.”
"Very possibly he does; but that does not alter your need. You are on the same ground as he is. You are bitten, and you must die if you do not look at the serpent on the pole.”
"Oh, very possibly; but there is plenty of time," he replies.
"My friend, what are you doing? You may not have another opportunity. What then?”
But God is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:99The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).) He allowed sinful men to lift up His only begotten Son, even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, and whosoever looks in faith on Him shall live. God's call to you is: "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." Isa. 45:2222Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22).