LOOK

Today’s Reading: Numbers 21-22

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).

The mountains of ancient Moab, across the Dead Sea from Israel. Our group of friends had a similar view today as we drove along the shore of the Dead Sea.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

Key Verse: Numbers 21:9

So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

The serpent of bronze holds a prominent place in human history, primarily because of the dialogue of Jesus with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). It’s the worldwide symbol for the medical profession and may have originated with Moses (pictured below).

Medical Logo

The serpent corrupted our first parents, and he bears a major responsibility for causing mankind to sin against God…sin that has been nailed to the Cross. Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:14-15). The choice to LOOK in faith brought life instead of death to the Israelites. Jesus declared the parallel truth in Himself. Later, the bronze serpent had to be destroyed because people began to worship it (2 Kings 18:1-8). Moses’ serpent happened long before Greek mythology introduced the symbol. Tomorrow, God willing, we’ll look at the attempt by Balaam to curse Israel.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You were lifted up on the Cross, and You have caused me to look to You, not with eyesight, but with insight. Thank You!!! I know, by faith, that I have the gift of eternal life, not through any goodness in myself, but because of Your clearly stated promise. You cannot lie! Therefore, I live! The serpent’s venom cannot destroy me. Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

God told Moses to make the image of the serpent. Those who don’t think deeply enough would think God is against making a sculpture. There’s no sin here. The sin would be, according to the second commandment, in bowing down to an image and serving the image. People mess with God’s Word. For example, Norma-Jean and I, along with travelling companions, are here in Israel, and in one area of Jerusalem on any day, if you try to take a picture of some of the successors to the Pharisees, they may smash your camera. They think you are making a graven image. Have you bowed down to a picture lately? I don’t think so! Have you served a picture lately? I don’t think so! Be sure you read and understand the Scriptures in context.

Yours for only bowing down to the One True God,

David

P.S. The picture below was taken yesterday at the place where Gideon chose his final army of 300 men (Judges 7:1-8). Rev. Jason Patterson, our grandson-in-law and the husband of Andrea, Ron and Ann’s daughter, is our co-host on this tour of Israel. He took this picture yesterday afternoon and sent it through to our son, Ron, to be inserted here. Also, Rev. Gideon Chiu prayed a mighty prayer here back in 2001 (click HERE for a video from the “The Journey of Hope”). At the conference last week in Jerusalem, I mentioned to about 4,000 people (over 1,000 from mainland China) that when Gideon prayed in the video, the trees shook and the eagles flew overhead. I’m not sure we captured the eagles on video, but watch for the trees moving. I felt no wind where I was standing. Gideon has a background in the tribe of Manasseh (same as Gideon in the Bible), many of which ended up in China in the diaspora. Dr. David Damien, originally a surgeon from Egypt, now President of Watchmen for the Nations, and the dance team from Montreal, Alliance et Vie, are also on the video. The music is by Ron Kenoly.