Day 063 Numbers 21-22
Welcome to Day 063. Israel is almost at the finish line. They've been wandering for nearly forty years. And they're still complaining.
"Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?" they ask. No food, no water, we're tired of this journey.
God responds by sending fiery serpents! Many die. And suddenly, Israel repents. They admit they sinned and ask Moses to pray for them. God tells Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. Anyone who has been bitten and looks at the serpent will live.
It sounds strange, but it points to something deeper. The serpent was the symbol of sin and death. By looking at it, the people acknowledge their sin. And in that act of looking... of facing what they've done! THEY FIND HEALING. (This is why Jesus later says He will be lifted up like the serpent in the wilderness.)
Then Israel faces another threat from King Balak of Moab, who is terrified of Israel. He hires a diviner named Balaam to curse them. If Balaam can curse Israel, maybe they'll be defeated. But every time Balaam tries to curse Israel, blessings come out instead. God won't allow the curse. Balaam ends up blessing Israel multiple times, declaring God's faithfulness and Israel's strength.
The Heartbeat: God heals when we repent and look to Him. He also protects His people from curses and threats. No one can curse what God has blessed. His protection is absolute.
Heart-Check: What do you need to look at and repent of? What blessings are you missing because you're focused on complaints?
Listen to today's verses from the ESV, then scroll down to select your learning path for today's reading for supplemental studying.