The Fiery Serpents

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
“Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” 1 Corinthians 10:10
Here is at least one secret for a happier home. When the children of Israel murmured and complained, the Lord sent serpents to bite them. In Scripture the serpent is a type of Satan. When we complain in our homes we are making a way for the enemy to come in! Of course, we all want the enemy to stay out of our homes, and so this passage gives us wisdom. As a remedy, the Lord told them to look upon the brass serpent on the pole, reminding us of the need to turn our thoughts to the Lord Jesus on the cross. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:1414And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (John 3:14)). If we think more often of the sufferings of the Lord Jesus and the love which took Him to the cross, then we’ll be less tempted to complain about our circumstances. “He that spared not His own Son but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:3232He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32))? When the children of Israel believed God’s word, they sang His praises; when they did not believe, they murmured (Psalm 106:12,24-2512Then believed they his words; they sang his praise. (Psalm 106:12)
24Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: 25But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the Lord. (Psalm 106:24‑25)). When circumstances tempt us to complain, let’s look unto Jesus (see Heb. 12:22Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)), the One who never complained. Our hearts and homes will be happier for it!