Readings: Numbers 21:4-9, John 3:1-15
Quotes:
“I venture to say that the greatest earthly blessing that God can give to any of us is health, with the exception of sickness.” –Charles Spurgeon
“Serpents that spit fire or glow like fire were an emblem of ancient Egypt. Numerous Egyptians texts relate stories of fiery serpents protecting Pharaoh and Egypt. It is an irony that the Israelites have a great desire to return to Egypt, and then God sends the emblem of Egypt to plague Israel. The reality is that Egypt can provide no protection!” John D. Currid (“Numbers”)
“The Egyptians believed that the serpent-crest would terrorize Pharaoh’s enemies just as the common snake instilled fear.” -John D. Currid (“Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament”)
“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” (Galatians 3:13)
Images: Uraeus on the headdress of Egyptian Pharoah (picture is of Tutankhamun via Wikipedia)
Articles: The Son of Man Must be Lifted Up Like the Serpent (Spurgeon’s Testimony is at the end of the manuscript at bottom)