PRUMC Devotions

Read: Numbers 21: 4-9

God reacted immediately and with frightening severity, swift and harsh. We cannot bargain or argue with God. God takes the disobedience of God’s people seriously. All of a sudden, there was a brood of venomous snakes all over the place. “They bit the people and many died.” This horrible punishment caused them to admit their sin, and they turned to Moses for help.

Many people today are still afraid of snakes, their winding movements on the ground, their unexpected attacks, and their dangerous poison. But in ancient times the venom of snakes was considered both deadly and healing. Snakes symbolized destruction and remedy. Also in our story, upon the repentance of the people, the life-threatening power turned into healing medicine.

Moses prayed that the people be spared. So God commanded him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Whenever an Israelite was bitten, gazing at Moses’ bronze serpent would keep the person alive.

It is important for our life to see where our intentions go. If our eyes are fixed on the cross, we are free from death; if we look elsewhere, we perish! What is the point of our life? What is the focus of our life? God’s purpose or our own plans?

Prayer: Lord, let my eyes be fixed on your sign rather than on the confusing number of human options. Amen.

Manfred Hoffmann