From Forgetful to Forgiven

The Bible is replete with the examples of maintaining a sacred memory. Take a look at the Psalms and you will find songs of thankfulness for the things that God has done. So, it boggles the mind how soon we can forget all of the things God has done for us. And, I’m not saying that you completely forgot as to not be able to recall anymore. What I am referring to is how soon we allow temporary circumstances to distract us from the blessings that are right in front of us. Even the most seasons saint, even the most mature Christian, even the most noted bible scholar, even the children of Isreal in our text forget just how good God has been to them. We have to always remember that God has been good to us time and time again. It is only because of the goodness of God that we are here, and exist in the way that we do.

One moment you are thanking God for your new house…the next moment you are complaining when you appliance goes out.

One moment you are thanking God for your promotion at work…the next moment you are complaining about your work load.

One moment you are thanking God for healing you from a serious sickness…the next moment you are complaining that you feet hurt.

One moment you are thanking God for the food you shared with family on Thursday…the next moment you are complaining that somebody took too many extra plates.

One moment you are thanking God for your spouse…the next moment you are complaining about everything.

One moment you are thanking God for blessing you....the next moment you are complaining about the blessing.

(Run Back through…God provided you with the house then he can…Promotion…healing…food…spouse…blessings.)

Israel has been wandering for about 40 years now. They are getting close to inheriting the promised land, but they are getting tired and impatient with God.

1. Remind yourself what God has Done

What God has delivered your from

Where God has taken you from

What God has provided you with

If you don’t remind yourself, then God will remind you. (exegete v.6)

2. Repent Immediately and Appease God’s Anger

It was unfortunate that many of the people of Israel died because of the serpents. It is indicative of the hard hardheartedness of humanity; that we would rather figure out our own way first before turning to God for help. But, I’m glad that they came to their sanctified senses and approached the man of God, Moses, to repent and intercede.

They said, “We have sinned...” Church God will not forgive what you will not admit. Admitting you are wrong is always the first step to reconciliation in any relationship, how much more should be go to God and say I have sinned. We restore our fellowship with God when we repent. We live in the age of the Church where we are governed by Grace and not the law, but don’t be fooled God is grieved when we sin, when we turn our backs on him to follow our own way and our own desires. When we repent we allow say to God I know I have messed up, and I’m asking you to but me back in a place.

There was a young man who was acting out of character while his father went away on a business trip. He began talking back to his mother. He began talking crazy to his teachers. He wasn’t doing all the things his parents had taught him to do. His mother was showing immeasurable grace to the boy and finally she said, “That’s it I’m calling your father and tell him how you have been acting.” And she did. While on the phone the father told the boy, “When I get home in a few days you behind is mine!” The young man got scared and had butterflies in his stomach. Everyday he was terrified at the words of his father. So, he got it together. Began to act like he knew how to act. But the words of father still haunted him. Finally, his mother knowing he was about to get it when the father got home, knowing that even though the boy had got his act together he was still about to get get that belt, she said, “why don’t you call you father before he gets home.”

Isaiah 55:6-“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while He is near.”

Here is your shout, “Then the LORD answered,...”

3. Receive God’s Remedy for Sin’s Penalty

Now God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. If it were up to us would just say, “you sent the snakes…call them off.” That is essentially what they asked for. Ask God to take the serpents away was their request. But here is the tension in the text: Nowhere does it say or is implied that the snakes left anytime soon. What the text does give us is that God tells Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole.

The serpent is the judgment, so he makes an image of the punishment..

Pole- This pole was not just a random stick he picked up. It was the placard, it is also often referred to as the banner. The banner was the sign of victory that you wave in battle.

Looked on it- It carries with it the idea to see with belief or understanding. Not just to see visibly but to see spiritual onto salvation.

Now I searched the scriptures and I found out that God deals with serpents.

There was a serpent in the Garden of Eden...

There was a serpent here Mt. Hor

Moses had a battle with the scorers of Pharos.

Jesus called the Pharisees brood of vipers

Paul on the Island of Malta

Revelation serpent of old

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.