***Sorry about the purple...something weird happened as I was typing and this was the fix***
Since this season has been a really difficult one for me I decided to pull out a Bible study I did a few summers ago on the names of God and go through it again. I thought it would be good to reorient my heart around who God is and then it will fall into place who I am, and how things are and will be. If you've talked to be about the Bible for even 15 seconds you will know that I LOVE the old testament. I could read Deuteronomy, Joshua, Isaiah, Genesis etc., over and over and over. I actually do reading plans in order to get myself into the new testament...I know that's backwards...but you wouldn't love me if I was like everyone else ;)
The new testament is actually much more important to read, though, don't get me wrong. While the old testament has the history and the stories it only has shadow and glimpses of the real amazing story, the GOSPEL!
But for the people who only read the new testament, you miss out on some amazing things, some deep understandings and foreshadowing. In my study this week, we talked about how God has the name of Yahweh Rophey (LORD Healer)...and aptly timed lesson, and a really good reminder for me. The author (Mary A. Kassian) asked us to read Numbers 21:4-9...and I was blown away (again) by this story...
"From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. 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. 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.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live." - Numbers 21:4-9 (ESV)
Did you catch it? Read it again...
No really, go back and read it again...
Ok. I'll be more specific, because there was A LOT to catch from those 5 verses. I will point 2 BIG things (and set aside so much more...maybe for another post).
1. The people asked Moses to pray to God to take away the serpents....and God doesn't.
- The Holy God of the universe, who has stated that these are HIS chosen people, doesn't take away these serpents that are KILLING his people...even after they repent of their sin.
- In our world those who confess to know Jesus still often have the misunderstanding that if things are hard, it'd because you sinned and once you repent it will get better. This is truly sometimes the case...but not always. Satan lives in this world. He was cast out of Heaven, the great serpent, and he's pissed! He's going to be going after us and sometimes it will have nothing to do with our own sin, and more to do with our destruction (or his hopes for our destruction).
2. See God didn't take away the serpents, but He also didn't leave them there, dying...Instead he gives them something to look at that heals them. It doesn't stop them from being bitten, or rescue them from their suffering...but it was high and lifted up, for all to see, and have the choice to look at and live.
- This is a foreshadowing of the cross. Jesus was high and lifted up so that those who choose to look on him will be healed. If we call on Jesus we will not face the sting of death...we will still hurt and be "bitten", but it doesn't have to determine whether we live or die.
"In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" - John 16:33 (AMP)
We can choose in our pridefulness or in our unbelief not to turn to Him whose name is LORD Healer and we will face those consequences. We can choose as believers to look at the cross less and less as things are hard and die slowly...
Or we can remember the power of the cross (even when it's all crashing down around us) and remember John 16:33. Jesus has conquered this world. We can be encouraged, cheered, certain, brave, and have confidence.
