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Bible Studies/Numbers/ 2 knings / John / bronze snake
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Question
Thank you for your ministry. When I first read about the bronze snake in Numbers, I wondered why would God tell the people to look to the snake to be healed instead telling them to seek his forgiveness and healing. God is all knowing, why would He set the people up to sin? Then in 2 Kings,the people have begun worshiping the snake, offering incense to it. The new king doing what was right in the Lord's eye,broke the bronze snake in pieces. Then this morning, I read in John 3:14, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. Which leads to another question, are we to worship Jesus as our savoir or keep our eyes on God alone? Is it a sin to put the Son before the Father? I am not trying to be impertinent but am honestly seeking clarification. Thank you.
Patty,
I don't think God set up his people to sin by providing the bronze snake for healing. Humans are very good with the help of Satan to figure out ways to sin. Why God chooses certain people or methods is not know by me. So, I can't really help in that area.
John 3 is references the good part of the snake in regards to the analogy with Christ. Yes, we are to worship God and Christ (King of kings, Lord of lords, God and Savior). The Father is always first and sits on the throne in Heaven. Jesus is the Savior of mankind, the only unique son of God and is Diety.
Hope this helps.
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LEBoyd
Expertise
I am available to answer questions on most subjects dealing with the Old and New Testaments. I have more than 30 years of detailed study in both Testaments. Additionally, I have studied the many facets of evolution, including a detailed study of Darwin's Origin of the Species. I am a fundamentalist, in that I believe that all Scripture is inspired, or God-breathed, (II Tim. 3:16). I believe that there are no contradictions in the Bible, and that the Bible is complete in telling us our purpose on earth, how to gain salvation and how we should live to obtain salvation. I believe in sin, Satan, heaven, hell, choice-immersion, grace as the free-gift of God and that one can fall from grace. I am a 'layman' in that I taught myself Hebrew (in the English alphabet) and Greek (in the Greek alphabet).
Experience
I have taught many adult classes on the Scriptures on many different subjects over the last 25 years. I have also debated many people (several at once) over subjects such as evolution, original sin, the Diety of Jesus, whether Jesus was perfect by choice, and so-called Biblical contradictions.
Education/Credentials
I am a layman, so I come as a self-trained "expert". I can provide copies of sermanets, classes and emails where I have debated Scripture with others.
I do have a BBA and an MBA from a Top-10 MBA School. I also have several NASD/SEC licenses.
Awards and Honors
In Bibilical areas, I have scored the highest score, or in the top 10, with other adults in an all day annual test on specific Bible books. Some of these books were Luke, Revelation, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronmy, Joshua, Judges, II Kings, and others. Currently, I am teaching an indepth study on the book of Judges.
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