Numbers 21:7-8
7 And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.”
The more I read the five books of Moses about the Israelites in the wilderness, the more I remember my childhood, pushing parental boundaries until the line was crossed, and THEN becoming contrite. The Israelites had just complained to Moses about God’s provision of manna and quail. First they were starving, and then they were dissatisfied with the small number of menu options. Not for the first time, they went to Moses to grumble about God. When God responded with deadly serpents, THEN they saw themselves as sinners in the hands of an angry God and repented.
The modern day equivalent to this is the “easybelievism” prevalent in our churches. They gladly cling to the free gift of salvation by faith, then disobey and live as they please, ignoring the Lord. Then, when their lives are in disarray, they ask God in exasperation where he is. God is in his heaven and we are his. He will never leave us nor forsake us but he does ask for something from us. He demands honor, glory, and worship for dying for us. Living as we please does not do that. Living to please God does. Let us live in worship for his steadfast love.
O Heavenly Father. You alone are worthy of worship for the provision you have given us. May we be thankful for our creation, salvation and blessings. In Jesus’ name. Amen.