Bronze Serpents And Golden Ephods Revisited Danny Korakas

Bronze Serpents And Golden Ephods Revisited

Danny Korakas

Dec 18, 2004

"The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.' So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, 'make a serpent and put it on a pole.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze serpent, he lived." (Num. 21:7-9)

"And he (Gideon) said, "I do have one request, that each of you give me an earring from your share of the plunder. (This was in reference to the defeat of the Ishmaelites whose custom it was to wear earrings) Gideon made the gold into an ephod which he placed in Ophrah, his town. All Israel prostituted themselves by WORSHIPING it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family." (see Judges 8)

BUT: "Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the SACRED stones and cut down the asherah poles. He broke into pieces the BRONZE SERPENT that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it."

What is interesting about both the bronze serpent and the golden ephod is that they were never intended to hurt or harm God's people. On the contrary, quite the opposite, especially the bronze serpent. Even the golden ephod may have had good INTENTIONS. However, there was something about these two objects that became a disaster for God's people because they eventually led to a departure from TRUE worship.

We read in the Bible that because of the people's COMPLAINING and insolent WORDS, God sent poisonous snakes into their camp to discipline them. Well, this certainly brought forth an attitude change in the hearts of the people! The people of course quickly repented and God directed Moses to mold a snake and set it on a pole in the middle of the camp. Anyone who was bitten and dying would live by simply looking at the Lord's provision for their healing. Those who refused to look at "God's" PROVISION died.

We see clearly in John 3:14 that what may have been perceived as a strange way for God to heal was to be a "type" or a picture of God's way of forgiving and healing us from our sin and sickness through Jesus' death on the cross. It would seem that the Lord would instruct Moses to mold a bronze lamb. After all, "Jesus is the "Lamb" of God who takes away the sin of the world." However, it is clear in Galatians 3:12 that He (Jesus) became a curse for us. "He was made sin on our behalf." (2 Cor.5:21) And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.

The Israelites were careful to preserve this bronze serpent for about 10 generations! However, over the years it became a religious relic and icon. So much so, that it resulted in the abandonment of worship in spirit and truth. I would like us to look closely at the scripture verse to "worship the Lord in spirit and truth." First of all, can you see spirit in a literal sense? Of course not, the Bible says that the Spirit is invisible and like the wind. We truly worship in spirit when we do not NEED the external VISION of a choir, a worship band, or a Sunday morning occasion. These are certainly wonderful expressions in themselves; however, do we REQUIRE them (What is visible) to live a life of worship? Do we need events or icons in our lives to stimulate us or "get us in the mood" to worship Him who is invisible? Father desires worship that is from our heart and INTERNAL. He desires that we have such an intimate and personal relationship with Him that we do not need people or external things to MOTIVATE us to draw near. The Lord desires that we draw near because of our love for Him. The word "truth" in the original Hebraic context and language means "to be hidden." We worship in "Spirit and Truth" when we do not require what is seen or to be seen.

The Bible continues to say that until Hezekiah's time the Israelites had even burned incense to the bronze serpent! Burning incense is a "type" and picture of sacrificial prayer. We can see that even the prayer life of the people had become "RITUALIZED." Sadly, we see many denominations encouraging "canned prayers" -- as if these were to move the heart of the Father when all along what really moves His heart is a REAL and genuine conversation from OUR heart. Our Lord just wants us to be real. I know this may seem judgmental, but it is not meant to be -- to have a personal prophecy spoken to me with "Thus saith the Lord" puts me in the "really" judge this prophecy mode! I mean, I never speak to my Father in Old English and neither does He to me. We have ritualized with tradition so much of the church (even the prophetic movement) that even its language has become a "bronze serpent" in the name of the Lord!

As I continue, it is important that we stay focused on the "SYSTEM" and not the people who have been innocently INOCULATED over the course of years by the traditions of men. Hezekiah destroyed this stumbling block of ritual and traditions of man and revival broke out in the land. It is becoming obvious that the Lord is raising up men and women CALLED to destroy the bronze serpents and golden ephods of the church. Imagine the persecution Hezekiah must have endured -- even being king. I would imagine that the RELIGIOUS community was outraged. I mean, after all, wasn't this a God-given object? After all, wasn't this the object that God had told Moses to mold for the salvation of His people so many centuries ago? The Bible says, however, that Hezekiah's destroying of the bronze serpent was good and right in God's eyes. It seems on the surface to be contradictory. But the issue at hand was making spiritual OBJECTS (including man) and practices an obstruction to our relationship with the Lord. Father does not desire that we go to "man" for our AFFIRMATION, but to Him --only He can fulfill our deepest relational needs. He does not delight in our RELIGIOUS PRACTICES, but in our RELATIONAL PURSUIT.

It is true that we are directed by the Lord to fellowship, meet together for worship and to share in God's word, but these times of meeting can digress into prideful denomination and non-denominational TRADITION. Preserving our religious traditions, rituals and forms that are so predictably man-made can become more focused upon than worshiping the Lord in Spirit and truth. It's time we, like Hezekiah, gain the courage to confront in wisdom and love the bronze serpent the church has become in hampering the spiritual and relational growth of believers.

Gideon's golden ephod is another idea that seemed good on the surface -- only to go bad. Gideon did right in that he turned down the people's request to become king. Gideon knew that God alone was to be their King. "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you. The Lord shall rule over you." (Judges 8:23) It began to go bad when Gideon REQUESTED a financial reward for his services. The DESIRE for gold from man rather than INHERITANCE from God among leaders has normally spelled their ruin. The Bible says that each person only gave one earring, but combined corporately it amounted to one thousand 1,700 shekels (over 40 pounds of gold)! Gideon had the gold molded into a golden ephod and set it up in his home town.

The parallel is that we are "arm twisted" and requested to give a financial reward to the "system" in order to make our golden ephods for our cities. You have heard me state many times before that millions of dollars are invested in dead cement stones for buildings instead of investing in needy living stones. Whether it be those who are scrapping to keep their lights on and feed their children or those who need an investment into their spiritual gift and destiny. How are the resources of your congregation being spent? What is being fashioned and built -- dead or living stones? I'll tell you what is sad: Is that many of these people in need of finances are being told they are in their financial position because they don't tithe!

Those who need a spiritual investment to see their ministries launched are played like a second fiddle to a building, program, or someone across seas who is more worthy of "God's" money. This is essentially leadership not stewarding the "TALENT" that has been given them. They bury it and soon find it taken from them and given to another! And they wonder why their congregations are not growing ...A wonderful article has been circulating this week written by David Ravenhill titled "Modern Day Money Changers." He exposes and confirms the modern day hucksters who are getting wealthy at the expense of God's people. He encourages us to be very discerning in giving to these money mongers that prey upon people's emotions. He goes on to encourage giving more to the local church. However, I must say that I find the same abuses in the local churches as I do with the "religious idols." (ministry superstars)

"Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a SNARE to Gideon and to his house." (Judges 8:27) Gideon had the gold molded into a replica of a priestly garment that was solely intended for the high priest. The root problem here is that Gideon was not a priest in the Old Testament pattern. Gideon's intentions may have been good, but it became a snare to him and his house because it did not line up with God's Word. Gideon tried to replicate a ministry FUNCTION that God had not called him to. The result is that it would eventually lead the people astray from true and heart-felt worship and obedience.

There are many in ministry who are called to the function of "pastor." However, many are also trying to replicate themselves as that of prophet, apostle, evangelist or teacher. The Lord did not ordain that ephods be made of gold, but of cloth. In the same way, we are made and designed to be a particular BODY PART with its unique abilities and functions. It's high time that 1 Corinthians 12 be established in the church once again with each member fulfilling their part and destiny. Why do we desire to be called Doctor, (Doctor? Give me a break.) Reverend (Most Revered) or Pastor? Does the rest of the body of Christ go by a title -- like "Nurse Sue" or "Architect Joe?" It is not the title, but the function that validates our ministries. And if this is true, then why do you need a title ...Has the title of bond-servant become rejected in the lust for recognition within the church?

The golden ephods today are elaborate building projects and programs that do not line up with God's Word and the people who institute them. People who no longer proclaim the Word of God in truth and have strayed from Biblical foundations have become golden ephods. They are wolves in sheep's clothing preying on the needy and oppressed. Just as in Gideon's time, "golden earrings" are collected with promises not based on truth and principle. Buildings and MINISTRIES have become objects of worship because of the worldly desire for power and position. Yes, one of the churches greatest objects of worship is the ministry IDOL.

This prophetic word is important in that the Bronze Serpent and Golden Ephods in the church hinder the growth of God's people. The SYSTEM becomes empowered while the people perish for lack of VISION. The focus becomes religion rather than relationship with Christ. It functions with one-man ministry rather than each joint supplying its part Unfortunately, many leaders can become so enamored with their own ministry TRADITIONS that they will go to any length to preserve them ... just like the bronze serpent when it has departed from its original purpose and function.

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