Numbers 21:4-9 (CEV)
Moses Makes a Bronze Snake
4 The Israelites had to go around the territory of Edom, so when they left Mount Hor, they headed south toward the Red Sea. But along the way, the people became so impatient 5 that they complained against God and said to Moses, “Did you bring us out of Egypt, just to let us die in the desert? There’s no water out here, and we can’t stand this awful food!”
6 Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes that bit and killed many of them.
7 Some of the people went to Moses and admitted, “It was wrong of us to insult you and the Lord. Now please ask him to make these snakes go away.”
Moses prayed, 8 and the Lord answered, “Make a snake out of bronze and place it on top of a pole. Anyone who gets bitten can look at the snake and won’t die.”
9 Moses obeyed the Lord. And all of those who looked at the bronze snake lived, even though they had been bitten by the poisonous snakes.
Moan,
grumble,
complain.
When will we get there?
We have we nothing decent to eat?
Why have you done this to us?
I’m tired.
I’m hungry.
I don’t like how things are going.
What are you doing to me.
Forgive me Lord,
for being so ungrateful,
for not appreciating
your love and care
for me,
and focussing only
on what I think me needs are.
I forget that you know
exactly
what you are doing.
Our salvation comes
from that which is raised up
before us,
lifted on a pole
for all to see.
That is what will save us
from all we have brought on ourselves.
In the place of the snake
there are echoes of the cross,
the place where you are revealed,
the way you show
your saving love
for each one of us.
May you be lifted up
in my life
