ings, sent fiery flying serpents to destroy them; but, on the intercession of Moses, had appointed them an easy remedy, by the use of which their wounds were healed, and their calamities removed.
We propose to consider, I. The appointment itself —
The need of God's interposition was exceeding urgent —
[The wilderness abounded with serpents, such as the camp was now infested with a. They were of a very malignant nature, causing by their bite a fatal inflammation b. Multitudes of the people had been bitten by them: many were dying; and many were already dead. In vain did any of them seek an antidote against the venom, with which they were in hourly expectation of being infected : nor could any means be devised to abate its force. What then could the people do? To arm themselves against the danger, was impossible: they were assailable on every side : the serpents being winged, their assaults were irre- sistible. In this extremity, they apply themselves to Him, who alone was able to deliver. They humble themselves before their God ; and they entreat Moses to intercede for them. If God have not mercy on them, they must all perish. Such was the extremity to which they were reduced.]
But the manner in which he interposed was strange and unaccountable —
[God ordered a serpent to be made of brass, as like as possible to those which bit the people : and that serpent he com- manded to be erected on a pole, in order that the wounded per- sons might look unto it and be healed. But what connexion was there between the means and the end? Of what use could a piece of brass be, or what could it signify of what shape it was? Of what service could it be to look upon it? If it were used in a way of friction ; or if it were reduced to powder and swallowed ; or any mixture were made with an infusion of brass in it ; one might suppose it possible that such a prescription might be of some use : there might be some affinity between the remedy and the disease : but, when such an order as that in our text was given, it seemed rather as if God were only " laughing at their calamity, and mocking, now that their fear was come."]
Strange however as this might appear at the time, the reason of it is clear to us, who know,
a Deut. viii. 15.
b They are probably called " fiery'" on this account, rather than from their colour.