Next time you see an ambulance, look for a symbol of God’s healing. Ambulances, paramedic uniform patches and other emergency medical logos feature a snake on a pole, based on the promise of healing God made to the Israelites in the wilderness, as described in today’s passage.
The people are passing through the desert, and again they begin to complain against God and Moses. To discipline them, God sends poisonous snakes among them, and many of the people die. When they repent, God directs Moses to make a bronze snake on a pole so that when they are bitten, they can look to it and live. Note that while God doesn’t take away the consequences of their sin, he offers them mercy and healing. Like most of God’s promises, there is a condition to be met: by looking at the snake they demonstrate their faith in God’s promise and he will heal them.
In John 3:14–16, Jesus says that he will be lifted up on a pole in the same way as Moses lifted up the bronze snake in the wilderness, so that anyone who looks to him in faith will be delivered from death to eternal life. God offers mercy and eternal life to sinful people, and once again there is a condition to be met: we must believe in him, trusting him as Lord and Savior of our lives. We may have to live with the consequences of sin in this life, but we have a far better life waiting when Christ returns to establish his kingdom. In that new world, we will never need an ambulance again!
In the meantime, we live in a world filled with the attacks of the serpent of old, Satan. Our country has endured much turmoil, sickness and death in the past months, and I find myself crying out to the Lord for his mercy. God promises his healing for our land if we will do as the Israelites did: repent of our wicked ways and seek his face, not just his blessing (2 Chron. 7:14).
Take time today to turn to God and seek his face. Praise him for his holiness, then quietly listen for his voice.
Jim Jensen
Extended Scripture: Numbers 20-23
