(Num 21:1 KJV) And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.

(Num 21:2 KJV) And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.

(Num 21:3 KJV) And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.

(Num 21:4 KJV) And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

(Num 21:5 KJV) And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

(Num 21:6 KJV) And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

(Num 21:7 KJV) Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

(Num 21:8 KJV) And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

(Num 21:9 KJV) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Commentary on the Verses: Israel is just like us and a good example of life. The biblical story tells us that Israel as they are being led by the Lord go through the following steps.

1. Encounter a fight with the enemy v1.

2. Cry out to God and make a vow to God if he will deliver them then they will destroy their enemy. Or a better version if you deliver me this time I will get all of the sin out of my life this time Lord. You see Israel had a problem when God told them to go into a land of their enemy to destroy all the people, but they would not do that sometimes and the people would later come back and pull Israel into worshipping false Gods and sin v2.

3. And the Lord heard them and delivered them v3.

4. And Israel Journeyed but begin to complain and find fault with God. Life is a journey but we want the excitement of God, the deliverance, the blessing, if we are not living in the blessing then we don't want to serve God. We don't want to have to suffer any for Him even though he died for us. We don't want to go through any tuff times, and when these times come the first thing we start to do is complain, why is God doing this, brother or sister is doing this or that, or the pastor not doing this or that v4,5.

5. Then when we instead of looking at our selves and seeing the real reason we are having problems we fall into sinning against God and we begin to reap the benefits v6.

7. Then we get to were we can't stand it anymore and we repent to God and those we have wronged then God begins to rescue us again v7

8. But God doesn't rescue us without us doing something, when we fall away from God and rebel and go our own way it can be a long way back with God like we were before. And it is going to require some extra things from us to get back. If you notice God didn't deliver them from the serpent he just made a way that they could live if they obeyed what he told them to do v8,9.

(James 4:17 KJV) Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

(Rom 1:18 KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

(Rom 1:19 KJV) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.

(Rom 1:20 KJV) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

(Rom 1:21 KJV) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

(Rom 1:22 KJV) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

(Rom 1:23 KJV) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Changing God into what we want Him)

(Rom 1:24 KJV) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

(Rom 1:25 KJV) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Today man worships this materalistic world with all of its gold and silver and evil desires)

a. God will not be mocked

(Gal 6:7 KJV) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

(Gal 6:8 KJV) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

b. Many people think that they can do anything and get away with it. Cheat a little here and there, sin a little here or there, but God is not mocked, whatever you sow you reap.

c. I fill sorry for people when I see them hurting and in need and going through hard times, but many times it because you are reaping what you sowed. You thought you could get away with turning your back on God, or not following His words or out right sinning, but God is not mocked.

a. Israel was reaping what they sowed and there were scars, deep scars for their sin. Those people that died were not coming back to life, they were died.

b. Look at the world today if you don't believe this

1. Divorce in the Church, yes God forgives our sins and even forgives our messed up relationships, but there is still scares, look at the children, and the fighting and problems with dealing with that kind of situation. God has forgiven you and healed your new marriage but there is scars.

2. How about the prisons that are full of murders, rapists, drug dealers, etc. that are saved and now serving the Lord. Those people they killed are still dead, those people they raped are still scared for life, there is scars to sin.

c. Before we are snake bit, why don't we turn around before its to late and we sin or if we are in sin turn to God and get things right before its to late.

a. Get some medicine. Israel new what to do they had been their before.

b. If you don't get some medicine for you snake bite you will die.

(Num 21:6 KJV) And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

c. They died because of there sin, it was before they came to Moses to repent. If you don't repent of your sins you will die spiritually and maybe even physically.

d. You need some medicine for your snake bite. Its called repentance and turning around and not doing it again.

a. Your not going to feel a total relief from your sin like you did when you first got saved.

b. Your going to feel guilty for a while.

c. God is going to put you through a proving period. Your going to have to be true to God and serve him on faith without all the fireworks, spiritual pedestals, goose bumps.

d. When you pray for a while you may not feel anything. God wants to see if your serious about your repentance and you really want to change for Him.

e. You will have a pole and every persons pole is different. But God will require additional faith, additional action, additional obedience from you for a while.

f. If your willing to do everything that he asks then you will move back fully into the graces of God and will be healed of your snake bite.

(Num 21:8 KJV) And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

(Num 21:9 KJV) And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

g. Then when you are healed you can continue on with God.

(Num 21:10 KJV) And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in Oboth.

Closing: DON'T WAIT UNTIL YOU SNAKE BIT, DON'T FALL INTO WILLFUL SIN AND SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES.