Numbers 21
21:3 And the LORD hearkened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities: and he called the name of the place Hormah.
Hormah
i.e. utter destruction.
21:9 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.
serpent
(See Scofield "Genesis 3:14") . The serpent is a symbol of sin judged; brass speaks of the divine judgment, as in the brazen altar See Scofield " Exodus 27:1 ", note (2) and self-judgment, as in the laver of brass. The brazen serpent is a type of Christ "made sin for us" ; John 3:14John 3:15 ; 2 Corinthians 5:21 in bearing our judgment. Historically, the moment is indicated in the cry: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46 .
21:17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:
Then Israel
The spiritual order here is beautiful:
(1) atonement Numbers 21:8Numbers 21:9 ; John 3:14John 3:15
(2) water, symbol of the Spirit bestowed Numbers 21:16 ; John 7:37-39 .
(3) joy Numbers 21:17Numbers 21:18 ; Romans 14:17 .
(4) power Numbers 21:21-24 .
