Fiery Serpents

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<h1>Fiery Serpents</h1><strong> Author: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/profile_Steve-0.aspx'>Steve-0</a></strong><br /><p>In Numbers 21: 4-9 we read the account of the snake on a pole. The people had grumbled against God and God sent fiery serpents into their midst. Many who were bitten died. The people repented and complained to Moses. The Lord God told Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it up on a pole. Those looking at the snake on a pole would be rescued from the fiery serpents. There were about 1 million people in the camp. They occupied a large area. As far as we know, there was only one "snake on a pole." The idea of looking at this "snake on a pole" in order to be saved from the snake’s venom must have caused some interesting discussions and responses among the people. Some probably entered into the time-honored philosophic discussion of why these bad things were happening to such seemingly good people. The more sensitive folks led felt it was not a good practice to inform the people that these fiery serpents were the result of God’s judgment on their bad behavior. This would be injurious to their sensitive self-esteem and undoubtedly inflict irreparable damage on their wounded inner-child. Instead of directing people to the "snake on a pole," they established support groups for those who had been bitten and had also lost loved-ones as a result of these damnable serpents. They made the people feel good about themselves in the midst of a bad situation. The more spiritual elders in the group believed that the real issue was the lack of faith on the part of the people. "We need to speak faith into this situation," they proclaimed, "and take authority by binding these fiery serpents." These spiritual folks were not against the idea of a "snake on a pole," but it was for the spiritually immature. A major issue became the inspiration of Moses. Had he really heard from God about this "snake on a pole" thing? One group felt that this was merely Moses’ opinion. Any healings that had taken place were readily explained by natural causes. A large group of the older elders formed a Snake Seminar in which they voted on which words God had actually spoken to Moses. Some of the women in this group were angered by the fact that Moses, a man, was not sharing the responsibility of lifting up the pole with the women. One woman was heard to say, "I’m not going to look at any ‘snake on a pole’ held up by a man." Shortly thereafter she died of snakebite. A candlelight vigil was held in her honor. Those who sought to faithfully direct people to the "snake on a pole" also had their problems and contentions. "Are these snakes a part of the perfect will of God or merely the permissive will of God," they asked. The real issue among them was why some were willing to look at the "snake on a pole" while others were not. One element felt that it was all predestined. God chooses some to look and others not to look. The other element felt that it was up to the person to make a decision whether or not to look. One group was exceptionally strange. They agreed that the situation was drastic and that Moses had indeed heard from God, but they felt the idea of immediately directing people to a "snake on a pole" while the snakes were threatening them was bad marketing. "We should find out what people are looking for," they suggested. So instead, they took a poll to find out what the people wanted. Some wanted aerobics so that they would be able to more effectively run away from the snakes. Others wanted to learn principles for living in a camp where there were snakes on the loose. Others wanted to merely get together and sing some sappy, emotional songs and forget about the snakes. While they waited for people to be willing to hear about the "snake on a pole," many died. Yet there were some among them that just did what Moses said—and lived! “ Men and brethren, what must we do?” “ And Peter….answered” “ Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Obey Acts 2:38 —and Live! </p><strong>About the Author:</strong><br />King James Bible, Wikipedia, Encyclopedia<p> Article Source: <a href='http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Fiery-Serpents_83906.aspx'> http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Fiery Serpents_83906.aspx</a></p>

Article Source : http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Fiery Serpents_83906.aspx

Keywords : Moses, fiery, serpents, look, God, judgment, lost, saved, child, good, things, bad, bite, love, women, anger, want, able, more, out, strange, deci,

Category : Society : Religion