The Bronze Serpent

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The Israelites were so used to murmuring, and one such murmur led to a significant event recorded in Numbers chapter 21. Yes, we are talking about the bronze serpent. Israel effortlessly murmurs because they have to go around Edom (since Edom's king did not give a safe passage). Lord's anger is kindled, and poisonous snakes enter the picture. They soon realize their mistake, and confess the same. They seek a rescue. Moses arranges for the same through God, and a bronze serpent is lifted up in that wilderness. See it and be saved, He says.

Numbers 21:4 Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses: "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread." 6 So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died. 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, "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." So Moses prayed for the people. 8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

Now this defined incident, is referred to by Jesus, in John's gospel chapter 3, as He is trying to explain to Nicodemus about being born again. Nicodemus is obviously confused on hearing the phrase 'born again'. Jesus refers to the OT incident, and says that the born again experience is nothing but him confessing his sins to God, looking up to the lifted Christ, and being saved.

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again.' 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Yes we all deserve death, as no one is righteous.

Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

But God has made such a provision, that we just believe in Him, and He saves us. Just like the bronze serpent, Christ is lifted up. Jesus often states that the Son of Man will be lifted up. Yes, up on the cross. He became a curse because anyone who hangs on a tree is cursed (Gal 3: 13). But He hung on that tree, He was lifted up on that tree, so that we can look up to Him and be saved. and what results is marvelous! - the eternal life. Any Israelite who looked upon the bronze serpent, lived. Any man who looks upon Christ (Isa 45: 2), receives eternal life. 

John 3:15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jesus Christ lifted up:

John 12:34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, "The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?"

John 8:28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

Isaiah 45:22 "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" ),

Looking up to Him results in life:

John 17:2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Amen.


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