Post by Eli Brayley on Dec 9, 2009 11:37:55 GMT -7
"When Israel rebelled against God in the wilderness (Num. 21:4-9), He sent fiery serpents that bit the people, "and much people of Israel died." When in repentance they prayed that God would "take away the serpents," He did not answer them in this form. The serpents were not taken away. God's punishment of their sin could not be so lightly taken away. But a remedy was provided in the brazen serpent upon the pole, so that "he who looked upon it" lived. Who would esteem the remedy if the judgment of the presence of the serpents could be removed? The cross and the resurrection are as great an outrage to human wisdom as is the serpent upon the pole; but when men learn that there is no other escape from the wrath of God, they will not be ashamed of the Gospel." -- James Stifler
