Bronze Serpent / Shadow and Fullfillment
In Numbers 21, God sent these among the people as judgment for their complaining - many people died.
What are venomous snakes?
The cloud that guided the Israelites during the day appeared like this at night.
What is a pillar of fire?
In Numbers 8:10-12, the Israelites performed this physical act on the Levites to present them before the Lord.
what is laying hands on them?
In Numbers 35:6, six of the cities given to the Levites were established as this.
What is Cities of Refuge?
In Numbers 9, God grants as second Passover date for those cermonially unclean. In Luke 14:16-24, the banquet host invites all people to attend. It reminds us that this is available to everyone.
What is the gospel / God's redemption?
The remedy God prescribed in Numbers 21 - if the people would look to this, they would live.
What is the bronze serpent on the pole?
This phrase appears repeatedly in Numbers 9:18-23, describing the criteria for Israel's movement or rest in the Wilderness.
What is "at the LORD's command"?
Acts 6:6 records the apostles doing this when commissioning seven men to serve in the early church.
What is laying hands on them?
The establishment of the Cities of Refuge is evidence these two things coexist in God's character.
What is mercy and justice?
In Numbers 3, God accepts the Levites in place of the firstborn of Israel. This foreshadows Jesus in this role for us as well.
What is our substitute?
In John 3:14-15, Jesus connects the bronze serpent on the pole to this event in His life.
What is Jesus lifted up on the cross?
We are reminded in the text that the hardest discipline is not action, but this.
What is waiting?
In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul reminds Timothy not to neglect the gift he received through this collective action of the church leaders?
What is laying hands on him?
Hebrews 6:18 identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the Cities of Refuge. We can flee to Him for protection from this.
What is condemnation? (Romans 8:1)
These were "lifted up" to deliver us from physcial death and eternal separation from God.
Who are the bronze serpent and Jesus?
In Revelation 22:16, Jesus is referred to as this, fulfilling the Numbers 24:17 prophecy of the "star out of Jacob."
What is the bright and morning star?
In Numbers 10:35-36, Moses demonstrated this action whenever the Israelites would set out or rest.
What is pray?
God instructed Moses to lay hands on this man described as one "in whom is the Spirit."
Who is Joshua (son of Nun)?
A legal principle that required this for conviction of a capitol crime.
What is the two-witness principle? (Matthew 18:20)
Romans 5:20 connects this New Testament reality to Numbers 14:18 - where sin is increased this is increased as well.
What is grace?
The bronze serpent on the pole spared the Israelites from physical death. Jesus' reference in John 3:14-15, provides this for His believers.
What is eternal life?
In John 16:13, Jesus describes this as the New Testament fulfillment of the guiding cloud.
Who is the Holy Spirit / Spirit of Truth?
The practice of "laying on of hands" is still used today in the church as part of this recognition of church leaders/servants.
What is ordination?
When Zelophehad's daugthers petition for their father's inheritance in Numbers 27:1-7, God response to Moses is this.
What is "what the daughter's are saying is right"?
The clan is given the first position, on the East, around the Tabernacle and in the processional because Jesus is prophesied to descend from this line.
What is the Tribe of Judah?