19 But I say , Did not Israel know ? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
20 But Esaias is very bold , and saith , I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
21 But to Israel he saith , All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Moses and Isaiah have both written and recorded that GOD tried HIS BEST to catch the attention of every person who was an Israelite and bring them to HIMSELF by FAITH, believing in HIM and in The Messiah, Christ, who was coming and promised.
God used other peoples to make the Israelites jealous and Isaiah writes that GOD was available to be found by those who were NOT LOOKING for HIM or seeking HIM and yet, they found HIM not.... He further says that GOD has stretched out HIS HANDS toward HIS CHOSEN people who were disobedient hard of heart.
When they were in the wilderness, going to the Promised Land, one time God sent poisonous snakes, likely asps, into the land who bit the people.
Many died.
GOD was trying to get their attention because they were grumbling and complaining and murmuring against GOD and thinking of going back to Egypt and slavery.
MOSES interceded for the people and besought the LORD on their behalf so they would not die.
God told Moses to build a POLE and fashion a BRASS SERPENT in several coils around the top of it and set it in the middle of the encampment.
ANYONE who was bitten could LOOK to that POLE and serpent on top and believe that God would heal them and not die.
That is where the phrase "LOOK AND LIVE" comes from...
They could LOOK, believe, and LIVE.....
That serpent wrapped around the pole? Oh, that became the symbol of the American Medical Association.
Look to Jesus and believe, and live! He will forgive and take you just as you are.
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