Snakes on a Plain (a Steve Orr scripture reflection)

Poisonous snakes. 

Usually a problem. Almost always a problem in the Bible; whether they appear as serpents, vipers, or just plain snakes. 

There's the serpent in the Garden, the facilitator of man's fall. Snakes are part of the drama surrounding the exodus from Egypt. Snakes kill the Israelite complainers on the hike to Moab. A snake bites the Apostle Paul on the island of Malta. And, let's not forget the "great dragon" of Revelation. All total, the Bible mentions snakes over 80 times ... and not in the good way.

This week's scriptures include two about the same story: Numbers and the Gospel of John. Numbers tells the story. 

The Israelites are near the end of their journey (though they don't realize it, yet). On a long hike from Mount Hor to the Plains of Moab, they have to go around the country of Edom instead of walking a straight line through the middle of it. Being who they are, they once again begin to complain. God punishes the complainers by sending poisonous vipers to bite and kill them. When they repented, Moses made a bronze snake and, per God's instructions, lifted it high on a pole. Those who looked upon the bronze snake, lived.

Two things here: (1) even though God provides relief, scripture does not say he removed the vipers; just that, upon being bitten, the afflicted Israelite had to look up to the snake on the pole in order to survive the bite. (2) The methodology of the relief (bronze snake) was related to the mechanism of the punishment (death by viper). We saw this before with Noah: he and his family were borne upon the flood that destroyed the world.

However, when we get to the John passage, Jesus compares himself to the bronze snake. He, too, had to be "lifted up." And because he was, we can all be saved from the affliction of sin. He did it so the whole world might be saved through Him.

So, when the vipers of this life afflict you, look up to the one who is our salvation. You're likely to still experience vipers from time to time, but the cure has been lifted up so anyone can see Him.

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PHOTO: Flag of the World Healt Organization (Public Domain)

How the modern EMS symbol might tie to Moses: 

https://watchjerusalem.co.il/540-does-the-serpentine-symbol-of-healing-have-a-biblical-origin

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Don’t expect some dry, dull study at DaySpring’s Friday morning Lectionary Breakfast. Along with delving into scripture, we share our lives and our laughter. We start at 8:00-ish and wrap up at 9:00-ish.

Contact me for the Zoom link.

NOTE: Zoom allows you to mute the camera if you don’t wish to be seen and to mute the microphone if you don’t wish to speak.

Blessings,

Steve 

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SCRIPTURES FOR THE COMING WEEK

Find them here: 

https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu//texts.php?id=74

Fourth Sunday in Lent (March 14, 2021)

Numbers 21:4-9

Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

Ephesians 2:1-10

John 3:14-21