FIVE THINGS THE ISRAELITES WERE NOT TOLD TO DO!

1. They were not told to make a serum to cure them of the snake's poison.
Church membership, keeping the commandments, baptism, etc. are good but you cannot use methods and programs as a serum of good works to cure man.

2. They were not told to help others who were bitten in order to get relief for themselves. Flesh wants to engage in works with the hope that helping others will counteract the deadly venom of sin.

3. They were not told to fight the serpents. Many Christians try and exterminate the Serpents. This becomes human effort and many times provides the energy to the flesh.

4. They were not told to make an offering to the serpent on the pole. Grace ceases to be grace if any price is paid for what it brings.

5. They were not told to pray to the serpent. You cannot substitute prayer to Christ for faith in Christ.

Religion is man’s attempt to deal with self through his own ability and effort. This is why religion can never save. Only Jesus can save!

To look on the serpent on the pole is the same as trusting Christ's death on the cross.

7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. 8 The LORD said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Numbers 21:7-9