A Serpent of Brass (Numbers 21:9; John 3:14)

2023-11-08

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. (Numbers 21:9)

The narrative tells of the Israelites that spoke against the LORD. As a result, the LORD sent fiery (poisonous) serpents that killed many people. In this act of discipline, the people realized their sin and came to the mediator of their covenant, Moses, and humbly beseeched deliverance.

Moses erected this pole with the brass serpent according to the Word of the LORD. How were they saved? They looked at the serpent and they lived. No arduous tasks. They who were bitten were dying and could not help themselves. Just look and live.

Now that brass serpent was a onetime remedy. All who were there eventually died. That brass servant no longer exists, for we are told this concerning King Hezekiah: “He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan” (2 Kings 18:4).

However, our Savior Jesus referred to this story. “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:14-15). Once again, it is look and live. Behold, Jesus took your place on the cross, receiving the wrath of God for your sin. Unlike the brass serpent that was destroyed, this Savior rose from the dead. He healed us from the serpent of Eden’s bite and delivered us from our sin.

This picture of Jesus in the Old Testament shows us that Jesus came to fulfill every detail of which the prophets spoke. Consider more about this event in context here.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22)

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (John 12:32)