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Today’s reading from Numbers 21–22 introduces us to two surprising instruments God used to teach His people—one a bronze serpent, the other a corrupt prophet. At first, both seem suspect—counter intuitive sources of God's revelation, but each played a part in revealing His truth and guidance.

In Numbers 21, the Israelites once again speak “against God and against Moses” (v. 5), complaining about their circumstances in the wilderness. In response, God sends venomous snakes among them, and many die from their bites. Recognizing their sin, the people plead with Moses to intercede for them. God’s response is unexpected: He tells Moses to fashion a bronze serpent, place it on a pole, and lift it up so that anyone who looks to it for healing will be saved.

To the Israelites, this must have seemed strange. Didn’t God command them not to make graven images (Exodus 20:4) or to have any other gods other than Him (vs. 2)? And wasn’t the serpent the very image of sin in the Garden? Yet, God instructed them to look to this symbol of sin to receive healing. Why?

Jesus provides the answer in John 3:14–15, in His conversation with Nicodemus: 

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.”

Jesus, who became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), was lifted up on a cross so that by looking to Him in faith, we could be healed from the deadly poison of sin. The bronze serpent foreshadowed this picture of salvation—one that invites us to turn our eyes toward the cross for healing, forgiveness, and life.

Then, in chapter 22, we meet another unlikely figure—Balaam, a prophet-for-hire who is sought after to curse Israel. On the surface, Balaam seems like a spiritual man. He speaks with God, and initially refuses to curse Israel. But Scripture later reveals his true nature:

“They have followed the way of Balaam... who loved gain from wrongdoing.” (2 Peter 2:15) and “...who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel.” (Revelation 2:14)

Ultimately, Balaam’s guidance led to the death of twenty-four thousand Israelites (see Numbers 25 and 31:16).

Balaam’s story warns us that not all who claim to speak for God truly do. Some may speak truth at times, but their motives are not right. Like Israel, we can be easily misled if we don’t discern the source of the message. We must filter all teaching through the Word of God.

Takeaway: God can use even the most unexpected means to reveal His truth, even through an ass—I’ll let you decide if that is Balaam or the donkey. But not every “spiritual” voice is trustworthy. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who was lifted up to heal and save, and let the Word of God be your filter in a world full of Balaams. Faith looks up to the cross—not to the crowd—for truth and guidance.