The Serpents Bite

Sunday's message used the Scripture lesson from Numbers 21: 4 - 9. The story reminds us that sin can destroy our lives if allowed to go unrepented.
In the story of the Children of Israel wandering in the wilderness in the Book of Numbers we find that often these folks were inclined to grumble, fuss, fight and complain. They would get angry and upset and - as is almost always the case under these circumstances – they would began to criticize. Soon the words became heated. The harshness of the comments spoken were only thinly veiled. The angry words spoken were like painful, barbed darts – intended to hurt and wound. The outcome was predictable – there was offense created; harsh angry words were returned; trust and esteem for the other person diminished. People that were supposed to be close – brothers – felt uncomfortable in each other’s company. Fact of the matter is that conflict and disagreement with others is a common thread in the fabric of humanity. Griping and complaining are the symptoms for a much deeper problem.The Israelites were wandering in the desert. Why were they wandering? - Because they refused to trust God’s leading. They had been led right to the border of the Promised Land, but they were afraid to enter. They didn’t believe God would usher them as victors into the land He had led them to. And so they wandered in the desert. And then they began to fuss and fume. Only problem – they picked the wrong person to criticize.