The link below contains a tutorial designed to guide you through completing the Old
Testament Narrative Bible Study Assignment:
Old Testament Narrative Bible Study Assignment Tutorial | Review 360 (articulate.com)
General Instructions:
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For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of The Bronze Serpent
found in Numbers 21:4-9. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of
this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation,
Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with through your reading
in Everyday Bible Study. Refer to the "Course Policies" in the course syllabus for the
formatting expectations in this course
Studying the Old Testament Narratives
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Passage: Numbers 21:4-9
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Instructions:
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For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of The Bronze Serpent
found in Numbers 21:4-9. You will use the template below in order to complete a study of
this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation, Interpretation,
Correlation, and Application that you have become familiar with through your reading
in Everyday Bible Study.
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I. Observation
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A. I have read Numbers 21:4-9 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or
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CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You
will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
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Yes
No
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1. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least 2
similarities and 3 differences between the way both translations cover this story.
You may list as many similarities and differences that you find as long as you
meet the minimum amount.
2. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
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Similarities
Differences
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1. Main characters: (List them)
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2. Plot: (50-100 words)
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3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words)
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Hint: Be sure to consult the section on narrative/story structure given in the tutorial for
this assignment.
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C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Question” for observation.
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1. Who:
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2. What:
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3. Where:
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4. When:
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5. Why:
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6. How:
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II. Interpretation
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A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what
you
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think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament
narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of telling
it to us by way of teaching or sermon. Please remember that words like “I,” “We,” “Us,
and “Our” are application words and not interpretation words. Interpretation is about “then
and there” and not “here and now.” We were not there so the passage is not about us.
Our “part” in the passage is application or how we will respond to God’s Word.
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B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should
be able
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to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
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III. Correlation
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A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State
what
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type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
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B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you
have
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written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true Biblical
principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle discovered in
this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your explanation should
be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
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C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
State
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and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200
words) in length.
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IV. Application
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What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State
and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for
each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
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A. The question of duty
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B. The question of character
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C. The question of goals
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D. The question of discernment
Name:
Date:
Section:
Old Testament Bible Study Assignment
Passage: Numbers 21:4-9.
General Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the Old Testament story of The Bronze Serpent in
Numbers 21:4-9. You will use the template below to complete a study of this passage. In your
research, you will use Observation, Interpretation, Correlation, and Application skills that you
have become familiar with through your reading in Everyday Bible Study.
Passage: Numbers 21:4-9
Observation
A. I have read Numbers 21:4-9 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or
CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer.
You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
Yes
No
B. Having read the passage in both formal and functional translation, list at least two
similarities and three differences between the way both translations cover this story. You
may list as many similarities and differences that you find as long as you meet the
minimum amount.
Similarities
a. Both translations note that the Israelites had the intention of going around the land of
Edom.
b. Both translations pointedly state that the Israelites are growing impatient "Why have you
brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness."
Differences
a. The ESV is not specific to those who set out to the Red Sea, while the NLT specifies
the people of Israel as those taking the road to the red sea.
b. The ESV shows the Israelites’' dislike for a worthless food while the NLT specifies
that they despised the manna.
c. The ESV text shows Moses being instructed to make a fiery serpent, while the NLT
indicates that a replica of a poisonous snake is to be made, as per God's instructions.
C. Identify the essential elements of the story you are studying.
1. Main characters: (List them)
Moses
The Israelites
The Lord
2. Plot: (50-100 words)
Coming from Mount Hor, the Israelites take the road to the Red sea to
avoid the land of Edom. The Israelites grew impatient, and on speaking
against God and showing ungratefulness, they were punished with
poisonous snakes. After asking for God's forgiveness and mercy, their
prayer is answered through Moses, who is instructed to make a snake from
bronze and attach a pole to it. Anyone who gazes at the snake would live.
3. Narrative structure: (50-100 words) Hint: Be sure to consult the section on
narrative/story structure given in the tutorial for this assignment.
Introduction: the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and avoid the land of
Edom by taking the road to the Red Sea.
Inciting Incident: the Israelites grow impatient and speak against God.
Rising Action: the Israelites are punished as a result of their actions with
a plague of snakes
Climax: the Israelites ask for God’s forgiveness through Moses.
Falling Action: Moses makes a snake replica out of bronze to save the
bitten Israelites
Resolution: anyone who had been bitten is saved from harm by gazing at
the snake replica.
D. List necessary observations about this passage using the "Key Question" for observation.
1. Who:
Moses
The Israelites
The Lord
2. What:
The Israelites traveled from Mount Hor by taking the road to the Red Sea.
These actions were enacted to avoid the land of Edom.
The Israelites grew Impatient and began speaking against God and Moses.
The length of the journey had made the Israelites start to lose faith.
The Lord sends poisonous snakes to bite and kill them as a form of
punishment.
The Israelites ask for God’s forgiveness and safety through Moses.
The Lord instructs Moses to make a snake replica out of bronze. The Lord had
forgiven the Israelites, and this was his way of saving His people.
3. Where:
The road to the Red Sea
4. When:
While on the road towards the Red Sea
5. Why:
Why did the Israelites take the road to the Red Sea?
The Israelites were going around the land of Edom because they had been
denied passage across the land of Edom by the Edomite king.
Why did the Lord send poisonous snakes?
Due to the Israelites' impatience and ungratefulness, the Lord punished
them with a poisonous snake's plague.
Why did Moses make a snake replica out of bronze?
The snake replica was meant to heal those who had been bitten by the
snakes. This act was after the Israelites had seen the error of their ways
and God had heard them.
6. How:
How did the Israelites learn their lesson?
The Israelites learned their lesson after the Lord had brought about
poisonous snakes that bit and killed numerous people.
How did Moses save the Israelites?
Moses saved the Israelites by following the Lord's instructions to make the
bronze snake and mount it on a stick.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author's main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words), explain what
you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old
Testament narratives frequently share the truth by showing it to us in story form
instead of telling it to us through teaching or sermon. Please remember that words
like "I," "We," "Us, and "Our" are application words and not interpretation words.
Interpretation is about "then and there" and not "here and now." We were not there, so
the passage is not about us. Our "part" in the passage is an application or how we will
respond to God's Word.
This passage reveals the Lord's caring nature portrayed when He leads the Israelites
to the Red Sea road. Also, the Lord shows a caring nature when He forgives the
Israelites' impatience and ungratefulness. Therefore, the Lord is portrayed as a loving
being. In contrast, the Lord is also a vengeful being. This act is characterized by his
punishment of the Israelites with the plague of snakes. This passage also portrays
Moses to be an obedient servant to the Lord. He is used as a median from where the
Israelites can make their grievances known. When the Israelites complained to Moses,
it was like they were doing so to the Lord directly. Moreover, Moses is used as a
messenger to save the people from snake bites.
B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should
be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences.
Moses adequately portrays obedience. Here we see Moses follow ever God’s word to
help save the bitten people.
III. Correlation
A. . How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible?
State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new
creation) and explain why you think this to be so. Your explanation should be 1
paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
The story of the bronze snake in Numbers 21:4-9 resembles the redemption theme of
the Bible's metanarrative. The Israelites grow impatient, complained, and begin
speaking against God and Moses. This Action angered the Lord and, in its place,
sends a plague of poisonous snakes that bite and kills numerous people. The Israelites
have to redeem themselves by asking for forgiveness. Their redemption occurs to
save themselves from the snake's agony. Moreover, redemption influences a new
creation whereby the Israelites are forgiven. Moses is instructed to make a bronze
snake, upon which the Israelites may be saved from the plague of snakes.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one
you have written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is
a true Biblical principle, it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the
principle discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures?
Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
Obedience to the word of God is seen with Moses, whereby he follows every story
instructed. Moses is an obedient follower of the Lord's name and passes across the
Israelites the word of God. However, Moses is not the only individual in the Old
Testament who was obedient to the Lord's words. We also see Samuel in 1 Samuel
15:22 describing the Lord's obedience to be better than sacrifice. This confirms the
need to surrender control to the Lord, for his actions are always aimed towards His
people's best interest. Moses obeys the Lord's words and, as a result, manages to save
his people.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ?
State and explain at least one way that this narrative's principle can be identified in
the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-
200 words) in length.
This Old Testament narrative reflects the work of Jesus by portraying the need to
obey God's word. The Israelites had lost faith and were biting the hand that had fed
them with impatience and ungratefulness. However, Moses' obedience to God saved
their lives. Similarly, in John 14:23, Jesus tells us to comply with whatever God
commands, for we have to do so. A similar instance occurs in Mathew 7:21-23, where
Jesus stresses that the person who obeys God's will enter the kingdom of heaven.
Obedience to the word of God is, therefore, a rewarding character that is held in high
regard in the Kingdom of God.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State
and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation for
each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty
In this passage, Moses portrays the importance of duty as he obeys the word of God.
Moses has a responsibility to God and the Israelites by acting as a median between God
and His people. As portrayed by his creation of the bronze snake, Moses must pass God's
word to the people. The Israelites had angered the Lord, and after asking for forgiveness,
a bronze statue was created as per the Lord's instruction to help save those bitten. The
Israelites also have a duty to the Lord as he had guided them from Egypt, a p[place where
the Israelites had lived in suffering.
B. The question of character
This story challenges Christians to be obedient to the word of God and practice patience
as the ways of the Lord come at the right time. Moses was obedient all through the good
and the bad. He was obedient when the people lost patience, when snakes purged on the
people, and when the Lord instructed him to make a bronze snake save the Israelites from
snake bites. Impatience is also portrayed to be rewarded negatively, as seen with the
Israelites. After speaking against God and Moses, the Israelites were punished and
suffered before Moses' obedience to God again saved them.
C. The question of goals
The Israelites were unhappy with their living conditions and, as a result, portrayed anger
and impatience towards God and Moses. They had a dream of reaching the Promised
Land, but the journey was taking too long. As a result, they acted out and were severely
punished for it. Moreover, Moses had a goal of obeying the Lord’s words and making
sure that His will was done. His obedience perpetuates a reminder that obeying the will of
God is the best for it not only saves one’s life as it did the life of Moses during the snake
plague, and the Israelites thanks to a bronze snake mounted on a stick.
D. The question of discernment
It is always essential to realize the Lord's will as described in Proverbs 1:7, where the
Lord's fear marks the beginning of knowledge. Similarly, Moses seeks to realize the
Lord's desires. When God punishes the Israelites with poisonous snakes, Moses knew
God's will and only seemed to intervene after the Israelites had repented. He also
followed God's will when he made the bronze snake that saved the Israelites from snake
bites. God had decided that the Israelite's lack of faith was terrible and that punishment
was in order.
References
Numbers 21:4-9 - English Standard Version. (2021). Retrieved 30 January 2021, from
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers%2021%3A4-9&version=ESV
