patriarchs and prophets-第111章
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protect those who were not yet stricken。 No murmuring now escaped their
lips。 When compared with the present suffering； their former difficulties
and trials seemed unworthy of a thought。
The people now humbled themselves before God。 They came to Moses with their
confessions and entreaties。 〃We have sinned；〃 they said； 〃for we have spoken
against the Lord； and against thee。〃 Only a little before； they had accused
him of being their worst enemy； the cause of all their distress and
afflictions。 But even when the words were upon their lips； they knew that
the charge was false； and as soon as real trouble came they fled to
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him as the only one who could intercede with God for them。 〃Pray unto the
Lord；〃 was their cry； 〃that He take away the serpents from us。〃
Moses was divinely commanded to make a serpent of brass resembling the
living ones； and to elevate it among the people。 To this； all who had been
bitten were to look； and they would find relief。 He did so； and the joyful
news was sounded throughout the encampment that all who had been bitten
might look upon the brazen serpent and live。 Many had already died； and when
Moses raised the serpent upon the pole； some would not believe that merely
gazing upon that metallic image would heal them； these perished in their
unbelief。 Yet there were many who had faith in the provision which God had
made。 Fathers； mothers； brothers； and sisters were anxiously engaged in
helping their suffering； dying friends to fix their languid eyes upon the
serpent。 If these； though faint and dying； could only once look； they were
perfectly restored。
The people well knew that there was no power in the serpent of brass to
cause such a change in those who looked upon it。 The healing virtue was from
God alone。 In His wisdom He chose this way of displaying His power。 By this
simple means the people were made to realize that this affliction had been
brought upon them by their sins。 They were also assured that while obeying
God they had no reason to fear； for He would preserve them。
The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an important
lesson。 They could not save themselves from the fatal effect of the poison
in their wounds。 God alone was able to heal them。 Yet they were required to
show their faith in the provision which He had made。 They must look in order
to live。 It was their faith that was acceptable with God； and by looking
upon the serpent their faith was shown。 They knew that there was no virtue
in the serpent itself； but it was a symbol of Christ； and the necessity of
faith in His merits was thus presented to their minds。 Heretofore many had
brought their offerings to God； and had felt that in so doing they made
ample atonement for their sins。 They did not rely upon the Redeemer to come；
of whom these offerings were only a type。 The Lord would now teach them that
their sacrifices； in themselves； had no more power or virtue than the
serpent of brass； but were； like that； to lead their minds to Christ； the
great sin offering。
431
〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness；〃 even so was the Son of
man 〃lifted up： that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have
eternal life。〃 John 3：14； 15。 All who have ever lived upon the earth have
felt the deadly sting of 〃that old serpent； called the devil； and Satan。〃
Revelation 12：9。 The fatal effects of sin can be removed only by the
provision that God has made。 The Israelites saved their lives by looking
upon the uplifted serpent。 That look implied faith。 They lived because they
believed God's word； and trusted in the means provided for their recovery。
So the sinner may look to Christ； and live。 He receives pardon through faith
in the atoning sacrifice。 Unlike the inert and lifeless symbol； Christ has
power and virtue in Himself to heal the repenting sinner。
While the sinner cannot save himself； he still has something to do to secure
salvation。 〃Him that cometh to Me；〃 says Christ； 〃I will in no wise cast
out。〃 John 6：37。 But we must come to Him； and when we repent of our sins； we
must believe that He accepts and pardons us。 Faith is the gift of God； but
the power to exercise it is ours。 Faith is the hand by which the soul takes
hold upon the divine offers of grace and mercy。
Nothing but the righteousness of Christ can entitle us to one of the
blessings of the covenant of grace。 There are many who have long desired and
tried to obtain these blessings； but have not received them； because they
have cherished the idea that they could do something to make themselves
worthy of them。 They have not looked away from self； believing that Jesus is
an all…sufficient Saviour。 We must not think that our own merits will save
us； Christ is our only hope of salvation。 〃For there is none other name
under heaven given among men； whereby we must be saved。〃 Acts 4：12。
When we trust God fully； when we rely upon the merits of Jesus as a
sin…pardoning Saviour； we shall receive all the help that we can desire。 Let
none look to self； as though they had power to save themselves。 Jesus died
for us because we were helpless to do this。 In Him is our hope； our
justification； our righteousness。 When we see our sinfulness we should not
despond and fear that we have no Saviour； or that He has no thoughts of
mercy toward us。 At this very time He is inviting us to come to Him in our
helplessness and be saved。
432
Many of the Israelites saw no help in the remedy which Heaven had appointed。
The dead and dying were all around them； and they knew that； without divine
aid； their own fate was certain； but they continued to lament their wounds；
their pains； their sure death； until their strength was gone； and their eyes
were glazed； when they might have had instant healing。 If we are conscious
of our needs； we should not devote all our powers to mourning over them。
While we realize our helpless condition without Christ； we are not to yield
to discouragement； but rely upon the merits of a crucified and risen
Saviour。 Look and live。 Jesus has pledged His word； He will save all who
come unto Him。 Though millions who need to be healed will reject His offered
mercy； not one who trusts in His merits will be left to perish。
Many are unwilling to accept of Christ until the whole mystery of the plan
of salvation shall be made plain to them。 They refuse the look of faith；
although they see that thousands have looked； and have felt the efficacy of
looking； to the cross of Christ。 Many wander in the mazes of philosophy； in
search of reasons and evidence which they will never find； while they reject
the evidence which God has been pleased to give。 They refuse to walk in the
light of the Sun of Righteousness； until the reason of its shining shall be
explained。 All who persist in this course will fail to come to a knowledge
of the truth。 God will never remove every occasion for doubt。 He gives
sufficient evidence on which to base faith； and if this is not accepted； the
mind is left in darkness。 If those who were bitten by the serpents had
stopped to doubt and question before they would consent to look； they would
have perished。 It is our duty； first； to look； and the look of faith will
give us life。
（433）
Chapter 39
The Conquest of Bashan
After passing to the south of Edom； the Israelites turned northward； and
again set their faces toward the Promised Land。 Their route now lay over a
vast； elevated plain； swept by cool； fresh breezes from the hills。 It was a
welcome change from the parched valley through which they had been
traveling； and they pressed forward； buoyant and hopeful。 Having crossed the
brook Zered； they passed to the east of the land of Moab； for the command
had been given； 〃Distress not the Moabites； neither contend with them in
battle： for I will not give thee of their land for a possession； because I
have given Ar unto the children of Lot。〃 And the same direction was repeated
concerning the Ammonites； who were also d
