When the people of Israel were making their way to the promised land they grumbled against God and His servant Moses.
One such instance is found in Numbers 21:4-9, ESV:
“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.”
How gracious and merciful of God to provide a way for healing …
What an awesome display of His power and dominion over all things …
What an example of how God takes something harmful (serpents) and turns it into a symbol of His deliverance and compassion …
And in view of this, we might think all the generations that followed Moses held on to this bronze serpent as a reminder to remain faithful to God and trust Him, rather than grumbling against Him. But that is not what happened. For it became an idol an object of worship, as the people of Israel would lay their offerings before it and worship it, rather than the One true God who had shown them mercy and grace time and time again.
How quick the human heart is to exchange “the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things (Romans 1:23 ESV).
So, what about us? Are we any better?
I hope so.
But we must ask ourselves, “What have we put in place of God and His goodness?
Have we exchanged:
Times of quiet devotion, praise, thanksgiving, and prayer for a frantic paced lifestyle?
Self-sufficiency for trusting and resting in God?
“Worshipping” our pastimes, sports teams, pets, work, or various forms of entertainment over worshipping God?
Trusting in medical science more than in God who is the source of all healing?
Loving others more than we do God?
Being overly concerned with the affairs of this life, rather than seeking first God’s Kingdom and righteousness?
I ask such questions because it is our nature to exchange the goodness of God for things far less. And perhaps, if we take our time and go through each question, we will find one or two areas where we have done just that. And if we do, let us confess it to God, ask for His forgiveness, and make the changes necessary to put Him above all things. For not only is this right to do, but it is the key to enjoying God and His blessings.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Rob