The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-08-27
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 81.
Subjees: The BrssSa Serpent. Mum. ri.
l-s-GoIdsn T31t. john ILL.,. II. Is
Memory vsrssf. s-s-commsntary On
ths DAYS Lcss<Sn.

1unjecf: Tno btbxYu Sotpsut' Suuss 21sss
I-s-Goidsn T3zt. John ILL.,. IL. Is
Memory vsrssS. e-s-commentary On
the DAYS Less3n.
Notwithstanding the years spent in
the wilderness it became necessary for Je.
hovah to repeatedly chastise His people
because of their iddiatries, their rebeilicns
and their murmurtnss. The remarkable
means provided for the healing OF the
Israelites when the fiery serpents were de-
stroying them is referred to by Jesus Him
in which He should give His life to tho
world. From this we understand that
Christ is the great Antitype lifted up on
the cross, and that whatsoever looketh to
Him for salvation shhll live.
/. king Arad." Arad was the name OF
. country, not king. ''Took-prisoners."
"A slight repu:se Is often beneficial in its
effects. This taught Israel to look 10 Je-
hovah for help. Is we find in the next
2. Utterly destroy" Before this time
Canaanites with the sword. But in the
promise to Abraham (Gen. Is: l6) we have
an intimation Of the judgments that would
fall upon the Amorites when their iniquity
should be full. That time had now ar
rived; their wickedncss waS 10 great that
they were to be utterly destroyed. There
is q certain pitch Of iniquity TO which m
tions may arrive before they are destroyed,
and beyond which Gbd will not permit
5. Destroyed them !" But this could
not have oeen till later Dr.. Clarke thinks
this verse was inserted later by o copyist.
4. Mount Hor." Mount Hor was on
the border Of Edom, and was the mount
ain on which Aaron died; It is the highest
peak in the sandstone ridge ai Mount Ser,
which extends along the eastern side of
the Gulf Of Aksbak.. tWay Of the Red
Sea-" The Israelites were now ready 70
enter the land of promise. But from
Mount Hor the march into southern Ca
naan was impracticablc on account OF the
mountains. The, Edomites would not per.
nit them to cross their mountains, 90
they werc obliged to take long tour 10
the south and march around Mount SER
to Elath, the northern point Of the east
ern gulf Of the Red Sea, and from there
journey through Edom to the Jordan
Much discouraged" They had expected
to enter Canaan at once and their dissp-
5. "Spake against God" This was tho
new Israel raised up in the wilderness.
Their disobedient fathers have persisted
during the last thirty-eight years. But
the new Israel Is strikingIy like the old,
faltering, murmuring, blaming their lead
ers and distrusting God.
8. Sent fiery serpents.T It Is not prob
able that the serpents were created for
this purpose, but because of the obstinacy
OF the people the Lord permitted the rep
tiles to gather in the camp and afiict the
greatly infested with venomous reptiles Of
different kinds. particularly lizards, which
raise themselves in the air and swing them
selves from branches, and scorpions which,
being in the habit OF lying among long
grass are very dangerous to the barelegscd,
sandalled people OF the East. These ser.
pents are called fiery either from their
color, their rage or the effects Of their bit.
ings inhamins the body, putting it immc-
diately into high fever. scorching it with
unsatisied thirst. They had unjustly COM
them for which God sends on them this
thirst which no water would quench. They
had concluded they must die in the wilder.
ness, and God took them at their word,
so that many did die" God had wonder.
fully preserved His people from these ser
pents until they murmured. This was .
just punishment for their unthankfulness.
7. Game to Moses" The severe judg.
ment from God had made them aware Of
I'VE have sinned." They are ready 70
make confession. II was U) thorough, (2)
personal, (3) clearly stated. Their sins
were defined; their convictions were clear.
And against Thee" ''It is easier to con-,
fess our sins against God than it is to
make acknowledgment OF wrong to man"
Moses prayed" His prayer was an
swered, but not as he expected. God has
His own way Of doing things. The people
must be taught lesson in faith. For the
people" Thee is scarcely any record Of
Moses praying for himself; his prayers are
generally for others. He was the mediator
q e., the e old I'd covenant as Jesus is OF the new.
s. a fiery serpent" Moses no doubt
expected the serpents to disappear as the
plaques had in Egypt, but instead Of this
he is directed to provide an antidote for
those who were bitten, and thus the Lord
uses Moses as an instrument in the relief
Of the people. When he looketh-shall
live" The bitten Israelite had simply to
look at Gods remedy-not to Himself, or
his wounds, or those around him, but he
must fix his gaze on the brazen serpent.
was nothing for him but death; he was
shut up to the brazen serpent. which was
Gods exclusive remedy. So the sinner il
called to look to Christ. God was testing
their faith, submission and obedience.
Then, too, each individual was obliged to
act for himself. It required q personal look.
9. Moses made serpent" He
showed his perfect confidence in Gods
plan. "And it came to pass" The plan
OF God never fails He had made it posi-.
be for every afflicted person to be healed.
failure 4 look of faith toward the ex.
tended serpent brought relief Their de.
sire for life was determined by their own
actions. This forms q very perfect type
O: oa- salvation by Jesus Christ. /. That
which cured was in the likeness of that
which wounded, 20 Christ was made in
the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin con.
demned sin the flesh" Christ took upon
Him the form OF sinful men, yet without
sin. 2. Like the serpent He was lifted up
from the earth. q spectacle to the world.
g. In order to be saved the lsraelites
mus. a. feel their need, ~ repent their
~ personally look at the brazen serpent.
The sinner must take the same steps in
coming to Christ. "a literal rendering OF
this verse justifes the conclusion that the
se5pents were not taken away. but that
they continued to annoy the people and
70 kill those who despised the remedy.
How long the brazen serpent continued to
be lifted up in the camp we know not, but
PROBABLY during the remainder Of the
march to Canaan. and that II had con-
spicuous position near the tabernacle after
il was se: up in the land OF promise We
find /, existing S25 years afterward e
KINGS lS 81 as an object o! idolasrous
worship when Hezekiah broke it TO piece
sad called it piece OF brass"