Bg:
A. (BKC) Once again Moses could see the impossibility of penetrating Canaan from the south. Apparently he even gave up his plan to go north through the Arabah and, led by the Lord, undertook a circuitous route around the eastern frontier of Edom. This would explain why he led Israel from … Hor along the route to the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqabah). The people must have been frustrated by this change so they began to complain not only about that but also about the desert, lack of water, and food (i.e., manna).
B. (EBC) Flushed with victory, their confidence was in themselves. They forgot that their victory over the army of Arad was a victory granted to them by the Lord in response to their solemn pledge to Yahweh (vv.2–3); now they were ready to rebel again.
Ob and In:
Repeated words:
1. spoken-often times, Israelites sinned in what they said/complaint. Of course, not only what they said was the problem, but their faith in God, which would be taken care of here.
Many people of Israel died-that served as a warning signs to the rest of their people about their sin and what they had spoken against God and Moses was the reason of the punishment. In v.5, they said they would died in the wilderness and God made their words count.
(EBC) They not only spoke of the monotony of manna, but they described it as “miserable bread” (see Notes). In their styling the “bread of heaven” (see Ps 78:23–24) as something vile and despicable, the people were actually contemning the Lord its giver...The Lord Jesus speaks of the manna as a type of himself, that he is the true Bread from heaven (John 6:32–35, 48–51, 58). A rejection of the heavenly manna is tantamount to one spurning the grace of God in the Savior.
(EBC) The poison in these snakebites must have been particularly virulent, leading to horrible, agonizing deaths. We notice something in these snakes that points to what is common in the miracles of the Bible; naturally occurring phenomena may come in unnatural ways, in exaggerated numbers, or in unusual timings.
Reflection: Did I contempt the grace of God and complaint about it (e.g. too many opportunities to serve)? Is my complaint related to previous success/arrogant (e.g. the spiritual growth of Daisy, Monica, and other girls)? Or is it because I am frustration of seemingly "foolish plan" (no follow-up-VBC)?
Do I experience any unnatural ways of suffering which was a warning sign from God?
2. looked...live-(NET) in Hebrew: “and it shall be anyone who is bitten when he looks at it he shall live.” Rescue was provided, but not until you look you will not be saved.
(NET) The image of the snake was to be a symbol of the curse that the Israelites were experiencing; by lifting the snake up on a pole Moses was indicating that the curse would be drawn away from the people—if they looked to it, which was a sign of faith. This symbol was later stored in the temple, until it became an object of worship and had to be removed (2 Kgs 18:4). Jesus, of course, alluded to it and used it as an illustration of his own mission. He would become the curse, and be lifted up, so that people who looked by faith to him would live (John 3:14).
(EBC) If ever there were a less expected pairing of types, this would be it. The manna was an altogether gracious gift of God, which the people turned against with stomach revulsion. The snakes were an instrument of God’s judgment because of the peoples’ ingratitude and rebellious spirits; yet it was a metal copy of just such a snake that became the means for their deliverance.
The bread is a picture of Jesus; as the Bread of Heaven he is the proper nourisher of his people. The bronze snake is a picture of Jesus, who became sin for us as he hung on that awful tree. The manna had to be eaten. The snake had to be seen. The commands of Scripture are for doing. The manna was no good if left to rot. The metal snake would not avail if none looked at it. The manna and the snake are twin aspects of the grace of God.
Reflection: Grace/bread has been given and we need to take it. Curse/bitten by snake has been lifted, but we need to look at it.
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