Nehushtan

"One Year Bible" Old Testament History Passage
II Kings 17:1-18:12

"He (Hezekiah) removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan." II Kings 18:4 (NKJV)

As Israel travelled for forty years through the wilderness, God did incredible miracles of provision, deliverance, and healing. In Numbers 21, we read of a time when "fiery serpents" came among the people. Deliverance from the bite of the serpent only came when Moses fashioned a snake of brass and lifted it on a pole. All who looked on the bronze serpent were healed. It was a landmark miracle pointing to Jesus on the Cross. Jesus Himself underscored the significance of this miracle (John 3:14).

Nearly 500 years later, the bronze serpent was still around. There were no longer any miracles surrounding this artifact - only memories of what had happened. But an added dimension had surfaced. Israel now BURNED INCENSE to it. They worshipped the memory of a miracle.

This is a strange danger for all who follow Almighty God. We can begin to worship not just Who God is but what He has done. This is a subtle form of idolatry.

Here's the lesson: WE CANNOT LIVE ON YESTERDAY'S MIRACLES. Great as they are and glad as we are that they happened, we must have FRESH BREAD.

The Israelites called it Nehushtan, meaning "bronze thing." Do you have a Nehushtan? Are you living in the past?  Let's thank God for what He has done. But let us reach forth for greater things in our day. Remember, He is not "I WAS". He is "I AM".