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The lifting up of the brazen serpent was to teach Israel an important
lesson。 They could not save themselves from the fatal effect of the poison
in their wounds。 God alone was able to heal them。 Yet they were required to
show their faith in the provision which He had made。 They must look in order
to live。 It was their faith that was acceptable with God； and by looking
upon the serpent their faith was shown。 They knew that there was no virtue
in the serpent itself； but it was a symbol of Christ； and the necessity of
faith in His merits was thus presented to their minds。 Heretofore many had
brought their offerings to God； and had felt that in so doing they made
ample atonement for their sins。 They did not rely upon the Redeemer to come；
of whom these offerings were only a type。 The Lord would now teach them that
their sacrifices； in themselves； had no more power or virtue than the
serpent of brass； but were； like that； to lead their minds to Christ； the
great sin offering。
431
〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness；〃 even so was the Son of
man 〃lifted up： that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have
eternal life。〃 John 3：14； 15。 All who have ever lived upon the earth have
felt the deadly sting of 〃that old serpent； called the devil； and Satan。〃
Revelation 12：9。 The fatal effects of sin can be removed only by the
provision that God has made。 The Israelites saved their lives by looking
upon the uplifted serpent。 That look implied faith。 They lived because they
believed God's word； and trusted in the means provided for their recovery。
So the sinner may look to Christ； and live。 He receives pardon through faith
in the atoning sacrifice。 Unlike the inert and lifeless symbol； Christ has
power and virtue in Himself to heal the repenting sinner。
While the sinner cannot save himself； he still has something to do to secure
salvation。 〃Him that cometh to Me；〃 says Christ； 〃I will in no wise cast
out。〃 John 6：37。 But we must come to Him； and when we repent of our sins； we
must believe that He accepts and pardons us。 Faith is the gift of God； but
the power to exercise it is ours。 Faith is the hand by which the soul takes
hold upon the divine offers of grace and mercy。
Nothing but the righteousness of Christ can entitle us to one of the
blessings of the covenant of grace。 There are many who have long desired and
tried to obtain these blessings； but have not received them； because they
have cherished the idea that they could do something to make themselves
worthy of them。 They have not looked away from self； believing that Jesus is
an all…sufficient Saviour。 We must not think that our own merits will save
us； Christ is our only hope of salvation。 〃For there is none other name
under heaven given among men； whereby we must be saved。〃 Acts 4：12。
When we trust God fully； when we rely upon the merits of Jesus as a
sin…pardoning Saviour； we shall receive all the help that we can desire。 Let
none look to self； as though they had power to save themselves。 Jesus died
for us because we were helpless to do this。 In Him is our hope； our
justification； our righteousness。 When we see our sinfulness we should not
despond and fear that we have no Saviour； or that He has no thoughts of
mercy toward us。 At this very time He is inviting us to come to Him in our
helplessness and be saved。
432
Many of the Israelites saw no help in the remedy which Heaven had appointed。
The dead and dying were all around them； and they knew that； without divine
aid； their own fate was certain； but they continued to lament their wounds；
their pains； their sure death； until their strength was gone； and their eyes
were glazed； when they might have had instant healing。 If we are conscious
of our needs； we should not devote all our powers to mourning over them。
While we realize our helpless condition without Christ； we are not to yield
to discouragement； but rely upon the merits of a crucified and risen
Saviour。 Look and live。 Jesus has pledged His word； He will save all who
come unto Him。 Though millions who need to be healed will reject His offered
mercy； not one who trusts in His merits will be left to perish。
Many are unwilling to accept of Christ until the whole mystery of the plan
of salvation shall be made plain to them。 They refuse the look of faith；
although they see that thousands have looked； and have felt the efficacy of
looking； to the cross of Christ。 Many wander in the mazes of philosophy； in
search of reasons and evidence which they will never find； while they reject
the evidence which God has been pleased to give。 They refuse to walk in the
light of the Sun of Righteousness； until the reason of its shining shall be
explained。 All who persist in this course will fail to come to a knowledge
of the truth。 God will never remove every occasion for doubt。 He gives
sufficient evidence on which to base faith； and if this is not accepted； the
mind is left in darkness。 If those who were bitten by the serpents had
stopped to doubt and question before they would consent to look； they would
have perished。 It is our duty； first； to look； and the look of faith will
give us life。
（433）
Chapter 39
The Conquest of Bashan
After passing to the south of Edom； the Israelites turned northward； and
again set their faces toward the Promised Land。 Their route now lay over a
vast； elevated plain； swept by cool； fresh breezes from the hills。 It was a
welcome change from the parched valley through which they had been
traveling； and they pressed forward； buoyant and hopeful。 Having crossed the
brook Zered； they passed to the east of the land of Moab； for the command
had been given； 〃Distress not the Moabites； neither contend with them in
battle： for I will not give thee of their land for a possession； because I
have given Ar unto the children of Lot。〃 And the same direction was repeated
concerning the Ammonites； who were also descendants of Lot。
Still pushing northward； the hosts of Israel soon reached the country of the
Amorites。 This strong and warlike people originally occupied the southern
part of the land of Canaan； but； increasing in numbers； they crossed the
Jordan； made war upon the Moabites； and gained possession of a portion of
their territory。 Here they had settled； holding undisputed sway over all the
land from the Arnon as far north as the Jabbok。 The route to the Jordan
which the Israelites desired to pursue lay directly through this territory；
and Moses sent a friendly message to Sihon； the Amorite king； at his
capital： 〃Let me pass through thy land： I will go along by the highway； I
will neither turn unto the right hand nor to the left。 Thou shalt sell me
meat for money； that I may eat； and give me water for money； that I may
drink： only I will pass through on my feet。〃 The answer was a decided
refusal； and all the hosts of the Amorites were summoned to oppose the
progress of the invaders。 This formidable army struck terror to t