Numbers 21

"We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us” (v7).  God sent “fiery serpents” as punishment for the people's lack of trust and constant complaints (v5).  When they repented, He told Moses to raise up an image of a bronze serpent, and when the Israelites looked at it, they would be healed (v9).  The image itself didn’t cure them; instead, their repentance found favor with God.

“We have sinned …” (v7).  From the beginning, God has always been “ready to forgive, gracious and merciful” (Neh 9:17), and when we turn to Him, He welcomes us.