When we examine one of the most familiar verses in the Bible written by John, ( John 3:16 )
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
In the previous verses " John 3:14-15" he relates this passage to Numbers 21:8-9.
(14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
(15) That WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
HERE'S THE PARALLEL.
Numbers 21:8-9 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that EVERY ONE that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten ANY MAN, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
With God's foreknowledge he knew who would look on the brazen serpent in the wilderness just like he knows who will believe in Christ.
What is elected in these passages is the way!
Moses lifted up the serpent to ALL of Israel! and ALL had the ability to see it.
You see it in Romans 9:10-11 "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
In the wilderness when God provides Moses with THE WAY for the children of Israel to be saved in Numbers 21:8-9 there was nothing asked of Israel but to look upon the provided way that would lift the curse.
When we examine one of the most familiar verses in the Bible written by John, ( John 3:16 )
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
In the previous verses " John 3:14-15" he relates this passage to Numbers 21:8-9.
(14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
(15) That WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
HERE'S THE PARALLEL.
Numbers 21:8-9 "And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that EVERY ONE that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten ANY MAN, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
With God's foreknowledge he knew who would look on the brazen serpent in the wilderness just like he knows who will believe in Christ.
What is elected in these passages is the way!
Moses lifted up the serpent to ALL of Israel! and ALL had the ability to see it.
God bless.
Part 2. The Way.
That way is grace alone!
You see it in Romans 9:10-11 "And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
In the wilderness when God provides Moses with THE WAY for the children of Israel to be saved in Numbers 21:8-9 there was nothing asked of Israel but to look upon the provided way that would lift the curse.
Blessings.
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