Numbers 21:4-9

Heather Orme
Numbers 21:4-9 and Point to Ponder sec. 212.

1.What did the Children of Israel do that resulted in the curse of the “fiery serpents”?
First the Children of Israel were “discouraged because of the way” (v. 4). Then they began to murmur against the Lord, and Moses. They were angry that the journey was hard; they didn’t have enough water or food.

2.In what ways are people today sometimes like unto the children of Israel anciently? (Nephi 17:45)
The scripture tells us that children of Israel were quick to sin and slow to remember all the things the Lord has done for them. The Lord has sent angles and spoken to them but they are still unwilling to feel and listen to the Spirit. We are just like that today, look around us! We have so many wonderful blessings, Television, internet, comfortable cars and homes but not only do we want more but we abuse these wonderful resources that we have. Instead of watching information or uplifting things we watch terrible movies and shows. The internet is such a wonderful tool that we use for learning and for furthering the work of the Lord instead we fill it with pornography and trashy images for children and other innocent victims to find. Our cars and homes are so nice and fully capable of keeping us warm and comfortable but still we want nicer cars, better homes and more things to fill them with. God has created this world for us and in creating it he has spoken to us, shows that he loves us but still we turn away. Still we are quick to sin and slow to listen and remember our God. It is terrifying to think about wandering around in the desert for 40 years but I wonder how long we have all been wondering because of the iniquity on the earth today. We are blessed with the true gospel but do we always adhere to the teachings and use these resources for good? I think that we can do better, for the third phase to come we must prepare and be ready just like the Children of Israel had to be ready to find the promised land.

3. According to Alma 33:18-22 what did the brazen serpent symbolize?
It was as symbol of belief in the Lord. If the people really believed then they would have quickly looked at the serpent, but because some really didn’t adhere to the teaching of Moses nor truly believe in the teachings of the Lord. We learn from Alma that by looking to be healed as the believers in Moses’ day then we can be.

4. How does one “look to” Jesus Christ for healing?
The children of Israel literally only had to “look” to be healed. We must look also but in a more symbolic way. We have seek for healing. While I read this passage I couldn’t help but think of the talk by Elder Scott in the 2008 conference. His talk was on the consequences of abuse. In the talk it talks to the victims and tells them that while they can’t make the abuser apologize but through the Lord they can be fully healed. God is there to make us happy and Christ died for our sins so that we can move past them. Victims of abuse aren’t sinning by being abused but they might be by not forgiving. In this they can turn to or “look to” the Lord for healing their emotional and physical wounds wholly.
5. Aside from physical healing, how can “looking to” the Savior heal a person in other ways?
I like Elder Scott's talk tells us “There are many ways to begin healing, but remember that a full cure comes through the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Master and Redeemer.” I think that when we are hurt in anyway, whether physically or as Elder Scott is talking about emotionally we can truly and entirely be healed only through Christ. There are so many times in our lives that we need to be healed and that can come better and quicker if we only look to our Heavenly Father.

6.Where else do people sometimes turn to healing other than the Savior?
I know that when I have my feelings hurt I often turn to my husband or family. I come from a family of all girls, my sisters often take the “it’s their problem and they are a bad person” approach when it comes to a hurtful action or word. When I go to my husband he is opposite, its more of the “maybe they were having a bad day, try and look at it from their point of view.” Obviously this is the right way but I know that when I hear mean thing about the person that hurt me I feel better for about 3 seconds but the hurt doesn’t leave, it only turns to anger or pride on my part. If I would be more Christ like or ask for understanding the conflict would be resolved much quicker. The world I think often turns to the easier and much more offending alternative like me. They might turn to drinking or revenge for hurt. Often violence is an outlet for hurt. If everyone would turn to Christ for healing I can’t imagine the kinds of hurt that would be avoided in the world.

7. What are simple things in the gospel of Jesus Christ that can heal us?
I think that prayer is something that can heal us. Often instead of turning to gossip and rumors we can let tell God of our frustration and those feelings of being understood and loved can enter our hearts and minds. This will lead to a less hurtful resolution.