A Lesson in Obedience

By: Jenifer Metzger

Then they set out from Mount Hor by way of

the Red Sea to bypass the land of Edom, but the

people became impatient because of the journey.

The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why

have you led us up from Egypt to die in the

wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we

detest this wretched food!” Then the Lord sent

poisonous snakes among the people, and they

bit them so that many Israelites died. The
people then came to Moses and said, “We
have sinned by speaking against the Lord and
against you. Intercede with the Lord so that He
will take the snakes away from us.” And
Moses interceded for the people. Then the
Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake image and
mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten
looks at it, he will recover.” So Moses made a bronze
snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever
someone was bitten, and he looked at
the bronze snake, he recovered.

Numbers 21:4-9 CSB

In Numbers chapter 21, we see that the people of Israel spoke against God, so as a punishment, He sent snakes to poison and kill many. The people then realized their sin and asked Moses to intercede for them. As Moses prayed. God told Him to make a snake of bronze and put it on a pole. If the people were bitten by a snake, they could look at the bronze snake and they would live.

Could God have just caused the snakes to disappear or slither away? Of course! Could God have closed the mouths of the snakes to not bite the people? Of course! But it wasn't about God simply saying, "Okay! It's done!"

God was teaching the Israelites. He was demonstrating His power. He was showing them how to trust in Him. And He was commanding their obedience. God doesn't work in our way, He works in His way, a way that will bring glory to Him and will teach us to live for Him.

Another lesson the Israelites learned, and we can learn too, is that our sin often still has consequences, even after we realize our sin and repent. Some of our actions can be taken care of simply by repenting. However, there are some actions that will still have repercussions. Just because we repent doesn’t always mean our consequences disappear. They may be shortened or the load more bearable, but they are still there.

I can remember countless times my children realized their disobedience and asked for forgiveness, but they still had to face the repercussions of their actions. For example, I remember a time one of my kids threw their favorite toy in anger. The toy broke. The child was sorry for their fit and actions. They child apologized. But they still lost their now broken toy. The Israelites learned this same lesson that with the snakes.

Sometimes lessons can be hard lessons, but they can also teach us to strive for complete obedience in the Lord.

Discussion:

1. Think of a time you disobeyed God and still have to face your consequences. How did you see God's hand even through your punishment?