If you were going to compile a list of sins and rate them from minor sins to those that were more serious, you would probably be able to easily list the sins that you consider serious. Sins like murder, adultery, stealing, and worshipping false gods probably come to mind because they are part of the 10 Commandments. But the trouble with that list and the idea of categorizing sins this way is that all sins are serious!

In Numbers 21:5-6 we read: “5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, ‘Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.’ 6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.” (ESV)

The Israelites in the story were grumbling and complaining, which we would perhaps place on the list as minor sins. God had provided for their every need. They had been wandering around in the desert, and they were provided food in the form of manna every morning (except the Sabbath). Not only did they have food, but it was being miraculously supplied by God. So their complaint was really aimed at the provision that was given to them by God. Instead of being grateful for all that God had done, they began to grumble and complain against God.

God’s response was immediate, unmistakable, and consequential! He sent venomous serpents among the people, and any who were bitten died. They were described as “fiery,” which shows that not only did they die, but they suffered as well. Sin always has consequences that are unpleasant. God instructs us to stay away from sin because He loves us and doesn’t want us to have to experience the consequences of our sin. Sometimes those consequences are suffered here on earth, as the Israelites found out. Sometimes the consequences come after death.

Their response to the suffering consequences is found in Numbers 21:7-9: “7 And the people came to Moses and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us.’ So Moses prayed for the people. 8 And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.” (ESV)

This was an answer, but not what they asked for. They had asked for the serpents to be taken away, but the serpents remained. The consequence of the sin was not removed. They were still bitten and experienced the fiery pain, but God provided a way for salvation from death. He allowed those who trusted God to avoid death due to their sin.

Jesus applied this well-known event from history to His own lifting up on the cross. He said in John 3:14-15: “14 …as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” (ESV)

Today, we look not to a bronze snake but instead to a Roman cross where Jesus, the Son of Man, was lifted up once and for all to atone for our sins. He is our source of help. He is our source of hope. He is our source of healing. He is our source of life. Look to Jesus — and live!