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I. THERE IS A STRIKING SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE CONDITION OF THE WOUNDED ISRAELITES AND THE STATE OF MAN BY NATURE.

1. Theirs was a degraded condition. Their pain was the result of their transgression.

2. Miserable.

3. Guilty.

4. Helpless.

II. THERE IS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE MEANS EMPLOYED FOR THE RELIEF OF THE WOUNDED ISRAELITES AND THE METHOD OF OUR RECOVERY FROM SIN AND DEATH BY JESUS CHRIST.

1. The brazen serpent in shape exactly resembled the fiery set. pent. So Christ was made in the likeness of sinful flesh.

2. The serpent was lifted up, which is emblematical of —

(1)  Christ's crucifixion.

(2)  Christ's ascension.

(3)  The public exhibition of the Redeemer's Cross in the ministry of reconciliation.

III. THE RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN THE FEELINGS OF THE WOUNDED ISRAELITES AND THOSE OF THE AWAKENED PENITENT IN THE ACTS OF LOOKING AND BELIEVING RESPECTIVELY. They were —

1. Sensible of their calamity.

2. Filled with humility.

IV. THE RESEMBLANCE AS TO THE EFFICACY OF THE REMEDY IN BOTH CASES. In their —

1. Instantaneousness.

2. Efficacy to work in the first or last stages of the disease.

3. Completeness of cure.Learn:

1. That salvation can only be ascribed to the free grace of God.

2. The freedom with which this salvation is bestowed.

3. That gratitude becomes those who have received mercy.

(T. Gibson, M. A.)

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KJV: And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

WEB: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,