Numbers, 21
8. And the Lord said to him: “Make a bronze serpent, and place it as a sign. Whoever, having been struck, gazes upon it, shall live.”
8. And the Lord said to him: “Make a bronze serpent, and place it as a sign. Whoever, having been struck, gazes upon it, shall live.”
Chapter 21 of numbers tells the history of the people of Israel after the death of Aaron and how they dealt with the journey through the desert. Initially, they faced some difficulties, such as lack of water and food, and complained against God and Moses. God sent poisonous snakes as a punishment, but after Moses pray for them, God provided a cure. The chapter also tells the battles that Israel fought against the Amorites and the conquest of their lands.
Exodus 15:26: "He said, 'If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord, your God, and do what is right in your eyes, if you hear your commandments and obey all your decrees, I will not bring any From the diseases he brought about the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals them. '"This verse talks about obedience to God and the promise of healing, which relates to the history of poisonous snakes that were sent as a punishment, But God provided a cure when the people repented.
Deuteronomy 8:2: "Remember how the Lord, your God, led them all the way in the desert during these forty years, to humiliate them and to test them in order to know their intentions, if they would obey their commandments. " This verse recalls the journey of the people of Israel through the desert, including the events described in numbers 21, and highlights the importance of obedience to God's commandments.
Psalm 136:16-17: "He led his people through the desert; His love lasts forever. He defeated powerful kings; his love lasts forever." This psalm describes God's faithfulness to guide his people through the desert and help them overcome their enemies, which relates to the battles described in numbers 21.
Isaiah 35:6: "Then the lame will jump like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing with joy. Waters will gourge in the desert, and streams in the wilderness." This verse talks about divine healing and the promise of water in the desert, which relates to the history of poisonous snakes and the lack of water in the desert that the people of Israel faced.
John 3:14-15: "As Moses lifted the snake in the desert, so the Son of man will be raised, so that anyone who believes in him has eternal life." This verse refers to the history of poisonous snakes in numbers 21 and points to salvation through belief in Jesus, which was raised as a symbol of healing and liberation.
“A prática das bem-aventuranças não requer atos de heroísmo, mas a aceitação simples e humilde das várias provações pelas quais a pessoa passa.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
