My focus this week is on the short account of the "fiery serpents" that is found in Numbers 21:4-9. The book of numbers is rather long, but has a lot of great gospel principles in it. I find it helpful to read through all of the chapter headings to get a broader feel of what happens.
From the account in Numbers, we basically learn that the children of Israel are at it again...complaining about all the trials they have to face (they even complain about blessings, including the miraculous manna that God feeds them, and their deliverance out of Egypt!). Because they complain, God chastens them, and they realize their error and apologize. Moses acts as a mediator for them (again, symbolizing Christ's role as mediator for us), and God gives him instructions for a simple way for the children of Israel to be healed: put a brass serpent on a pole and tell them to look at it.
I really appreciate the added insight we can gain from the Book of Mormon and the New Testament about this time in history. If you'd like to spend some more time studying, here are a few references: John 3:14, 1 Nephi 17:41 & 45, Alma 33:18-22, and Helaman 8:13-16.
There are many places we can look for healing today, but the best place to look is to our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.
Simple things that can heal us today:
- Keep the commandments
- Follow the Word of Wisdom
- Follow the prophets
- Study the scriptures
- Pray
- Bear one another's burdens
- Mourn with those that mourn
- Receive priesthood blessings
- "Heal the soul"
- Comfort
- Knowledge/Answers to questions
- Peace, Love, Joy
- Salvation
21. O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?
22. If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgement day, according to their works.
23. And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.
22. If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgement day, according to their works.
23. And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.
I know this to be true!
Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below! What are ways that you have been healed by looking to the Savior?
Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below! What are ways that you have been healed by looking to the Savior?
1 comment:
Just time for a quick comment, but every time I read these scriptures I am reminded of how easy it was for them to do such a simple thing and they wouldn't do it and I think "how dumb of them", and yet, if I take inventory of my own life, how many things are pretty simple and easy for me to do and I choose not to do them.
Post a Comment