Serpent Poison I
Numbers 21:5-9
While the first impression given in reading Numbers 21: 5-9 may be a bit off-putting, we have the incredible benefit of having commentary, from Jesus Christ, on the passage. Together, let us look at Jesus’ commentary on the Numbers text and see what He has to say, then we will look at the Numbers narrative in detail. Jesus’ commentary is in John chapter three. In this scenario, Jesus is in an evening meeting with Nicodemus, a prominent Jewish leader.
Jesus begins strong with a significant statement about his authority as the Son of Man [1], a statement about his own divinity. Here we are told, among other things, of Jesus’ authority to define the meaning of the Numbers text.
Jesus then moves on to state that the Numbers narrative is an analogy for Gods redemption plan.
Bruner clarifies for us by saying,
“Jesus continues in verse 14 when he identifies Moses' saving hoisted bronze serpent, is a parable and preview of the way God determined to reconcile his rebellious world to himself, definitively, when he sent his to-be-lifted Son Messiah.” [2]
Jesus begins by making the incredible statement that he is God and the Numbers narrative is an analogy for how God will provide redemption.
Jesus continues by helping us to see His role in our redemption is not condemnation [3], rather the inference is that our fallen nature already accomplishes this, and our existing state is separation from God. The Law of God tells us we are broken, in fact the entire cosmos is broken, because of the Fall. Sin and our innate desire to be at the center of our journey in the wilderness, is like serpent poison. It is the kiss, or rather bite, of sin that sentences us to eternal separation. Christ was here not to bite us with venom, that has already happened. Christ was here to save us from the consequence of our venomous demise.
God’s Law diagnoses our fate. It is the unwelcome news given by a trusted physician that we have no future in our current condition. It is the x-ray that shows the malignancy in our person. We have already been judged because of our fallen nature; the condition pre-exists. [4] To not trust God is to remain in our fallen state and thereby perish. But the provision of God, in the person and work of Christ saves us from the consequence of our natural state. We are not sentenced by Christ; we are saved from our sentence through Christ.
Our deeds, choices, and even our most noble aspirations are already misguided and display the venom in our veins. But Christ brings to the table the sacrifice, the celebratory sacrifice, the redemptive sacrifice that lights the path for those who trust God, out of the condemnation they by default deserve. [5]
Therefore, do not fear the exposure of your sinfulness. [6] Do not hate the good physician’s diagnosis. It is Truth. There is a way to avoid the venom taking us to our logical end. Do not look at the suffering of this life and blame God as the people do in Numbers. The Hebrews wanted circumstances their own way and grouse about God when life does not comply. Instead look to the One lifted up. Trust in the provision of God through Christ lifted up on the cross. [7]
[1] John 3:13 (NASB)
[2] F. D. Bruner, The Gospel Of John A Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2012), 192
[3] John 3:17 (NASB)
[4] John 3:18 (NASB)
[5] John 3:19 (NASB)
[6] John 3:20 (NASB)
[7] John 3:21 (NASB)