NOTES by J. W. Scoles

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 21.

NOTES.

By J. W. Scoles

It is no wonder that the Lord in speaking many years afterwards of the children of Israel during their wanderings in the wilderness, said he was grieved with them. It would seem that their murmurings during this time were almost unceasing. Unreasonable, always, to a great degree, they in this instance reached the extreme limit of unreasonableness, and added outright falsehood to their other wrongs in saying that they had no food or drink. This was totally untrue. Both bread and water were continually supplied to them by the direct interposition of divine power.

HERE is a striking evidence of the deceitfulness of sin. This very people for whom God had done so much, more by far than the mere words of the record can convey to our minds, became so hardened in heart by listening to the voice of the tempter that they were ready to forget all of the mercies of Heaven in one brief moment. Such a course as this could only augment their sin before the Lord, because they not only murmured in regard to the future, but denied the blessings which God was even then bestowing upon them.

HOW often the unbelief of the Israelites is duplicated by the children of God to-day. He who notices even a sparrow fall to the earth, assures us that the very hairs of our head are numbered, and that in the minor affairs of life He is ever near us to uphold and bless us; and yet right in the midst, perhaps, of great blessings, and in spite of all the

evidences God is continually giving us of his tender love toward us, we are ready to complain of him, and almost doubt him to his face. And yet how good the Lord is to bear with us. Surely it is because “of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Lam. 3:22.

BUT it sometimes serves as a wholesome reminder of our ingratitude, for God to allow the consequences of our rebellion to fall upon us. So it was with the children of Israel in this instance. Right in the midst of their unbelief, while they were yet accusing the Lord, and speaking against Moses, his servant, as if God would bring them to a realizing sense of their dependence on him, he removed the sheltering care which he had previously so kindly vouchsafed them, and at once the poisonous serpents, with which the wilderness abounded, were permitted to come among them in great numbers, and many of the murmurers were slain.

THE lifting up of the serpent, which Moses made of brass and placed on a pole in the sight of the perishing multitude, was a fit type of the lifting up of Christ. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5:21. Sin first came into the world through Satan in the guise of a serpent, and it was he who had caused the children of Israel to sin against the Lord to such an extent that many of them at this time lay dying upon the plain in consequence of their unbelief. How fitting it was, then, that this reminder of the origin of sinfulness should be lifted up before them, and that looking on down past this symbol into the future, they should see by faith the lifting up of the One who should bear their sins, the promised “seed” which should bruise the serpent’s head.”

THE Israelites must look upon the brazen serpent if they would live. This was their only hope. Fainting, dying, on account of the poison coursing through their veins, yet if they only had faith enough to look to the means provided for them they were healed. How many of us to-day are poisoned by sin! Sick, morally sick, cursed by its evil influences, suffering its effects bodily and spiritually, dying without hope, what shall we do to be saved? Read John 3:14–16. “Whosoever believeth”—that means you, dear friend, and me. God himself has provided the remedy for sin. Let us accept the sacrifice made for us and be free.

“There is pardon for the sinner, And more graces for the good; There is mercy with the Saviour, There is healing in his blood.”

THERE was no intrinsic saving power connected with the brazen serpent in and of itself. It was only a figure at best. But with Christ the case is far different. He possesses the power within himself to heal the repenting sinner, and to help us resist sin. We cannot do this of ourselves, but, like Paul, it is the privilege of every child of God to say, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Phil. 4:13. Here is where our strength lies. God says, “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.” Isa. 27:5. God grant that we may claim these blessed promises.

J. W. SCOLES.