Numbers 21:1-9 

1 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked the Israelites and captured some of them.

2 Then Israel made this vow to the Lord: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.”

3 The Lord listened to Israel’s plea and gave the Canaanites over to them. They completely destroyed them and their towns; so the place was named Hormah.

 

아랏왕이 이스라엘 백성이 아다림으로 온다는 말을 듣고 이스라엘을 공격했을 때 이스라엘 백성은 하나님의 도우심을 구하며 먼저 기도했습니다. 하나님은 그 기도를 들으셨고, 이스라엘 백성은 그들을 물리쳤습니다.

When the king of Arad heard that the Israelites were approaching Atharim, he attacked them and took some prisoners. In response, the Israelites turned to God in prayer, seeking His help. God heard their plea and granted them victory over their enemies.

 

The Bronze Snake

4 They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way;

5 they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!”

 

그렇게 하나님의 은혜로 아랏왕을 물리쳤음에도 에돔을 우회하는 길에서 지치고 낙심하게 되니 하나님과 모세를 원망합니다. 자기들을 왜 에굽에서 데려와 광야에서 죽게 만드느냐, 빵도 없고 물도 없고, 이런 한심한 음식에 질린다는 불평을 합니다. 단순하게 환경에 대한 불평이 아니라 하나님의 은혜로 받는 만나를 비하하면서 하나님의 권위에 도전하는 선을 넘는 발언을 서슴없이 하고 있습니다.

Despite God's grace in delivering them from the king of Arad, the Israelites grew weary and disheartened as they journeyed around Edom. They began to complain against God and Moses, questioning why they were brought out of Egypt only to die in the wilderness. They lamented the lack of bread and water and expressed their disdain for the manna, referring to it as "worthless food" .

This was not merely a complaint about their circumstances but a direct challenge to God's provision and authority. By calling the manna—a divine gift from heaven—"worthless," they showed contempt for God's grace and crossed a line into rebellion. 

 

6 Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.

7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

 

하나님의 권위에 도전하는 인간들에게 하나님은 벌을 내리셨고, 불뱀에 물린 많은 백성들은 죽었습니다. 이스라엘 백성은 자신들의 죄를 빨리 깨달았습니다. 그리고 하나님께 이 뱀을 없애달라는 기도를 합니다.   

God punished the people who challenged His authority by sending venomous snakes among them. Many Israelites were bitten and died. Realizing their sin, the Israelites quickly acknowledged their wrongdoing and pleaded with God to remove the snakes.

 

8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.”

9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

 

하나님은 그들의 기도를 들으시고 그냥 낫게 하실 수도 있으셨지만 하나님의 말씀에 순종하는지를 보셨습니다. 모세로하여금 놋뱀을 만들어 기둥에 걸게하고, 누구든지 그 놋뱀을 보는 자는 산다고 살 길을 열어 주셨습니다. 말씀을 믿음으로 살 수 있는 하나님의 섭리는 구약 시대에도 여전히 있었습니다. 이 놋뱀은 예수그리스도를 예표합니다.

God heard their prayers and, though He could have healed them instantly, chose instead to test their obedience to His word. He instructed Moses to craft a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole, offering a path to life for anyone who looked upon it. This act of looking was not merely a physical action but a demonstration of faith in God's provision. Even in the Old Testament, God's providence allowed for salvation through faith in His word. The bronze serpent serves as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who would later be lifted up on the cross to bring salvation to all who believe in Him

 

 

John 3:14-16

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 

15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

오늘 구약 말씀의 사건은 신약에서 다시 참조합니다.  이제는 우리에게 예수그리스도를 주셨습니다. 누구든지 예수그리스도를 믿음으로 말미암아 구원을 받습니다. 그 어떤 다른 방법도 없습니다.

The events of the Old Testament are referenced again in the New Testament. Now, God has given us Jesus Christ. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ receives salvation. There is no other way.