Venomous Snake Infestation

The first time I read about the bronze replica of a snake on a pole in the book of Numbers, I immediately saw the beautiful picture of Jesus.  This was many years ago in my early Christian walk.  I’ve read it many times since then.   But the wonder and excitement of that first moment has not been equaled.  That is not until recently.

In studying the book of John and using the John MacArthur commentary on the book, I was again struck with wonder.  However, this time from another angle. And I might add,  maybe I should change the word, “wonder” to “terror”.  All it took from the commentary is the word “infest”.  Yes, I definitely took new notice as I read that word.  Actually, it’s more like six words, six words in one sentence from one chapter: “venomous snakes to infest their camp”. (Chapter 9, pg. 114, MacArthur New Testament Commentary, John 1-11)  Think about it: INFESTED.  Snakes were everywhere. 

There is a place at my house that I have decided snakes reside.  To cap it, last year I found a snakeskin lying in the area.  Evidence in place, I now look with great caution in the whole area I’ve come to call, “the snake highway".  And this from just a feeling and one snakeskin.  In fact, the term, “snake in the grass” has new meaning for me as the area also has tall grass.  I get anxious and dread fills me just from the shear expectation of the possibility of a snake.  And this from one snakeskin!

But this moment in the history of the Old Testament, we’re talking about you don’t have to guess if the snakes are there.  They are everywhere, biting and killing people with their deadly venom.  Five short verses record this incident but the impact on the people was huge.  And by all means, the impact of this incident and it’s foreshadowing must reign huge in our minds.  (Numbers 21:5-9)

With the fall in the garden, everyone since has been born “infested” with sin.   Just like the Israelites were infested with venomous snakes in the camp in the wilderness wandering, we are infested with the blight of deadly sin from which there is no human cure.  By faith, the Israelites “looked” at a snake on a pole.  By faith, we must look to the God/Man on a cross, Jesus Christ. 

God gives us the cure.  God gives us the faith to look.  God is Sovereign, Supreme and Supplier for all parts of our healing.  God alone.  I love the simplicity and power of those words: God Alone!  May we experience daily the wonder and terror of our God.