General Instructions For This Assignment You Will Be Studyin

General Instructionsfor This Assignment You Will Be Studying The Old

For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of The Bronze Serpent found in Numbers 21:4-9. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with through your reading in Everyday Bible Study. Refer to the "Course Policies" in the course syllabus for the formatting expectations in this course.

Paper For Above instruction

The story of the Bronze Serpent in Numbers 21:4-9 is a profound narrative that offers rich insight into God's provision and the importance of faith and obedience. This passage recounts how the Israelites, during their wilderness journey, faced venomous snakebites as a consequence of their complaints and lack of faith. In response, God instructed Moses to craft a serpent of bronze and set it upon a pole, so that anyone bitten could look at it and be healed. This story is often interpreted both as a literal historical event and as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and salvation, making it a pivotal passage in biblical theology.

Observation is the first critical step in studying this passage. The narrative describes a rebellious Israelite community grumbling against God and Moses, which results in God sending serpents among them as a form of judgment. The people confesses their sin and pleads for mercy, prompting God to instruct Moses to create a bronze serpent. The specific details—such as the serpent being made of bronze, the act of looking upon it, and the healing that follows—are crucial clues to understanding the significance of the passage.

Interpretation involves understanding the theological and symbolic meanings embedded within the text. The bronze serpent symbolizes God's provision for salvation amidst judgment. When the Israelites look upon the serpent, they demonstrate faith in God's remedy, leading to healing. The act of looking is not merely physical but signifies trusting in God's salvific plan. Christian theology extends this symbolism to Jesus Christ, who states in John 3:14-15 that He must be lifted up so that everyone who believes may have eternal life. The bronze serpent thus prefigures Christ's crucifixion, where He is lifted up on the cross, providing salvation for all who look to Him in faith.

Correlation entails connecting this passage with other biblical texts and doctrines. For instance, 2 Kings 18:4 mentions King Hezekiah destroying the bronze serpent because the people had begun to worship it as an idol, illustrating the potential for misuse of God's symbols. Isaiah 45:22 also echoes the theme of looking to God for salvation, emphasizing the importance of faith in divine provision. In the New Testament, Jesus references this story to explain His upcoming crucifixion, emphasizing its typological significance and reaffirming the centrality of faith in salvation.

Application involves applying the lessons of this passage to contemporary faith life. The story underscores the necessity of trusting God's provision in times of trouble and recognizing His sovereignty over life's circumstances. It reminds believers that faith involves looking beyond our immediate situation to God's redemptive plan. Just as the Israelites looked upon the bronze serpent and were healed, Christians are called to look upon Christ—the ultimate source of salvation—and trust in His sacrifice. Furthermore, the story teaches the importance of obedience in following God's instructions for healing and righteousness.

In conclusion, the story of the Bronze Serpent is a powerful narrative that combines themes of judgment, mercy, faith, and salvation. Through careful observation, interpretation, correlation, and application, believers can glean profound spiritual truths. It emphasizes God's provision for salvation, underscores the importance of faith and obedience, and prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. This passage invites believers to trust in God's redemptive power and to continually look to Him in faith amidst life's trials and challenges, embodying the core principles of biblical spirituality and trust in divine salvation.

References

  • Belcher, W. (2013). Old Testament Story: An Introduction to Israel's Sacred Scriptures. Zondervan Academic.
  • Brueggemann, W. (2014). The Prophetic Imagination. Fortress Press.
  • Fitzmyer, J. A. (1998). The Gospel According to Luke I-IX. The Anchor Bible. Yale University Press.
  • Garrett, D. (2011). Romans. Creatio Press.
  • Harrison, R. K. (2015). Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans Publishing.
  • Moo, D. J. (2014). The New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Epistle to the Romans. Eerdmans.
  • NIV Study Bible. (2011). New International Version Study Bible. Zondervan.
  • Pate, C. H. (2017). The Genesis of New Testament Theology. Baker Academic.
  • Wenham, G. J. (2003). Numbers: An Introduction and Commentary. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries. InterVarsity Press.
  • Wright, T. (2010). Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church. HarperOne.

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