Numbers 21:4-9 Discouraged? Look at Christ and Live!

ASL

Identify the Sources of Discouragement (Numbers 20:1-21:3)

Mistakes of the leadership (Num. 20:1-13)

Contention with the Lord about water

Failure of Moses and Aaron to obey God

God’s grace

Barriers to the easiest way (Num. 20:14-21)

Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom

Seeking permission to pass through his country

Edom prevented Israel from passing through

Relationship between Israel and Edom (Num. 20:14; Gen. 36:1, 43)

Numbers 20:14 NKJV

14 Now Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. “Thus says your brother Israel: ‘You know all the hardship that has befallen us,

Genesis 36:1 NKJV

1 Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom.

Genesis 36:43 NKJV

43 Chief Magdiel, and Chief Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their dwelling places in the land of their possession. Esau was the father of the Edomites.

Death of someone important to you (Num. 20:22-29)

Death of Aaron

Eleazar - new high priest

Disputes with others (Num. 21:1-3)

King of Arad fought against Israelites and took some prisoners.

Israelites destroyed Arad.

Not having/getting what you want (Num. 21:4-5)

Go the longest way possible

“No food, no water”

“Loathes this worthless bread”

Serious Consequence of Discouragement (Numbers 21:6)

Numbers 21:6 NKJV

6 So the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.

Discouragement could lead to unbelief.

Discouragement could lead to giving up.

Discouragement could lead to serious health problems.

Discouragement could lead to serious mental health problems.

Discouragement could lead to bad habits.

Discouragement could lead to losing focus on the Lord.

Remedy for Discouragement (Numbers 21:7-9)

Numbers 21:7–9 NKJV

7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

Repent of our reactions to situations

Direct our faith toward Christ

Follow God’s way - Christ Only (John 3:14-15)

John 3:14–15 NKJV

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Identify the Sources of Discouragement (Numbers 20:1-21:3)

Serious Consequence of Discouragement (Numbers 21:6)

Remedy for Discouragement (Numbers 21:7-9)