Here we are still in II Kings 18 verse 4 this morning again, I do hope that’s ok?
II Kings 18:4 “He [Hezekiah] removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke into pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan).
If you are unfamiliar with the story of the bronze serpent then maybe first of all read Numbers 21:4 – 10………….
If you are anything like me when I first read this story you may be trying to get your head around what is happening here.
Basically, the people sinned against God and the consequence of their sin was death. The people asked for God to take away the consequences of their sins, but God would not do that, rather he made a way for them to be healed of the consequences of their sins and go on to live. To do this God chose to use a bronze serpent up on a long piece of wood.
So now back to Hezekiah and the people there. They had moved in their understanding. They no longer looked to the God who provided the healing, instead, they have now brought their focus onto the bronze snake, believing that it has some value of its own and is responsible for their healing.
It’s good for us to remember in our culture that God stands behind things like wealth, healing, science, and sex. These are his ideas, his gifts to us. Once we take our eyes off God and start thinking these things themselves are the source of our blessing we start to move onto quicksand in life. I am writing this to myself this morning!
As we read this amazing scripture in II Kings 18, we also see a glorious foreshadow of Christ the Messiah, as sin (in the form of the serpent) is nailed to a pole for all to see.
We see past this now and recognise Jesus nailed to a cross for our sins, and lifted up high for all to see.
When we truly see Him and accept Him for who He is – we are healed, and the consequences of our sin no longer have the final word in our lives. Rather Jesus does.
Blessings
Allan
Principle 6 – our mission in life is to know and be like Jesus
Strength – Relator: People exceptionally talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction working hard with friends to achieve a goal.