“Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”
My Notes
What Does Numbers 21:7 Mean?
Israel confesses their sin against God and Moses—"We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee"—and asks Moses to intercede: "pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents." The confession is specific (we sinned by speaking against), the request is specific (remove the serpents), and the means is specific (you pray for us). The people who attacked Moses now depend on Moses to save them.
The turning from complaint to confession represents genuine repentance: they name the sin (speaking against), identify both victims (the LORD and Moses), and take responsibility (we have sinned). The confession isn't vague or partial. It's precise, honest, and addressed to the person they wronged. The repentance begins where the sin began: at Moses' feet.
Moses' response—"Moses prayed for the people"—shows the character of the man they attacked: the person they spoke against intercedes for the people who spoke against him. Moses doesn't say "you deserve the serpents." He doesn't delay his prayer to make a point. He prays. Immediately. For the people who just admitted to sinning against him. The intercessor prays for his accusers the moment they ask.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Can you pray for the people who sinned against you—immediately, without delay, without leveraging their need?
- 2.The confession was specific: sin named, victims identified, responsibility claimed. How specific is your repentance?
- 3.Moses prayed for his accusers the moment they asked. If someone who wronged you asked for your help, how quickly would you respond?
- 4.The intercessor doesn't withhold prayer to teach a lesson. Have you been withholding your help from someone who needs it because they hurt you?
Devotional
"We have sinned." The people who complained about Moses now need Moses to save them. The people who spoke against him now stand before him saying: we were wrong. Please pray. The serpents are killing us. And Moses—the one they sinned against—prays for them immediately.
The confession is textbook repentance: specific sin named (we spoke against), both victims identified (the LORD and you), personal responsibility claimed (we have sinned). No hedging. No excuses. No "we were frustrated" or "you provoked us." Just: we sinned. Against God. Against you. Please pray.
Moses' instant intercession is the detail that reveals his character: the person they wounded becomes the person who heals. The leader they attacked becomes the leader who saves. Moses doesn't withhold his prayer to teach them a lesson. He doesn't delay to let them suffer a little longer. He prays for the people. The people who sinned against him. Immediately.
The pattern is Christ-like before Christ: the intercessor prays for the very people who wounded him. The mediator doesn't hold the sin against the sinners. He turns to God on their behalf the moment they ask. If you've been wounded by someone who now needs your help—if the person who spoke against you is now asking you to speak for them—Moses models the response. Pray for them. Now. Without delay. Without leveraging the moment. Without using their desperation to prove a point. Just: pray.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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Cross References
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