Snakes Alive!

“So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. Whenever someone was bitten, and he looked at the bronze snake, he recovered.” (Numbers 21:9 CSB)

The people of Israel continually did not get it, amazingly. In spite of all the miracles, all the signs from God, they continued in their rebellious ways. Here is what is recorded: “They spoke against God and Moses: ‘Why have you led us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food! (manna)’ Then the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and they bit them so that many Israelites died.”

Once again the people went to Moses and admitted their sin and asked Moses to intercede for them. Moses did, and God told him to fashion a bronze snake, mount it on a pole, and tell the Israelites that if they were bitten by a snake to look at the pole, and they would then be healed. Those who obeyed the instruction recovered. The medical symbol we are so familiar with today – a cross with snakes wrapped around it – comes from this story. It has become a symbol of healing.

The bronze serpent on a pole is also the symbol of something much more important. It was a metaphor of what was coming. Jesus referred to it in this way, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.” (John 3:14 CSB) Thus, this story from Moses and the Israelites was something of a “shadow” of the crucifixion event that was to happen some 1400 years later.

As interesting as this wilderness story is, its importance is overshadowed by the cross of Jesus, and it serves as a reminder that God keeps His word to carry out His promises. He is trustworthy. His invitation is to all of us to receive His grace, to receive by faith the salvation He promises, and to live a life of spiritual wellness and wholeness.

Lord, May we indeed live today this life You have called us to and have given to us. Amen.