Numbers 21:8,9 - Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary

We cannot possibly err in considering this whole service, as wholly and altogether typical of the redemption by JESUS, since he himself hath so explained it. John 3:14-15. But Reader, it is sweet as well as profitable to analyze, and, like the bee, gather out of this precious flower of scripture, the several precious parts of it. As first, observe, the plan of it did not originate in Moses, for it was wholly GOD'S appointment, Make thee, saith GOD, a fiery serpent, etc. Such is our redemption. GOD the FATHER, is all along in scripture represented as the founder and contriver of our salvation by his dear SON. Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 42:6; John 3:16; 1 John 4:14. Secondly, The LORD JESUS is the whole cause of our redemption. He was anointed as the most holy, to finish transgression and to bear all the iniquity of his people. Daniel 9:24; Isaiah 53:6; Ephesians 1:7. Thirdly, It is GOD the HOLY GHOST who lifteth up the LORD JESUS, both in his Gospel, and in the hearts of every true believer. John 12:32; John 12:32. And no man can say that JESUS is the LORD, but by the HOLY GHOST. 1 Corinthians 12:3. After this view of the subject, I only detain the Reader just to observe, that as the faith of the Israelite in the camp, when bitten by the serpent, carried with it an evident proof of the work of GOD in the heart; so, in the present hour, the faith of the true Israelite of GOD in the church of JESUS, when under the raging effects of sin, in looking alone to him for salvation, carries the same evidence with it, that it is not by human might, nor by power, but by the SPIRIT of the LORD. For as naturalists tell us, that to a person labouring under the disease of the bite of a venomous reptile, the sight of anything bright or shining appears more likely to aggravate than assuage their misery: so to the eye of human reason, untaught of GOD the HOLY GHOST, how should the bare looking unto JESUS cure the soul of sin? Nothing, surely, but the power of GOD, and the wisdom of GOD, working in the mind, both to believe, and to do, of his good pleasure can be competent to such an act of faith. Reader! let you and I beg of GOD for this grace, to believe the record that GOD hath given of his dear SON. And as the lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness, would not be efficacious to any unbelieving Israelite, who refused to look unto it for healing, but had recourse to human art for a cure: so neither now, will the lifting up of the LORD JESUS on the cross, be effectual to those who, trusting in their own righteousness, despise or neglect this great salvation. LORD! give us to look unto thee, and be saved among the ends of the earth, for thou art GOD and there is none else, and beside thee, there is no Saviour. Isaiah 45:22.