The Bronze Serpent & the Cross

After being delivered from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites harshly complained against God and his servant Moses during their wilderness wandering. We read in Numbers 21 that once again they grumbled because of their lack of water and their weariness in eating manna day after day. In response, Yahweh sent fiery serpents among them in judgment and many died. When the people asked Moses to beseech God to remove the serpents, Yahweh told Moses to construct a bronze snake and put it on a pole and anyone bitten by the snakes could gaze at the bronze snake and be healed. Jesus referred to this incident in John 3:14-15 and said that in like manner to the bronze snake, he would be lifted up so that anyone who believes in him may have eternal life. The physical healing resulting from gazing at the bronze snake was a type or foreshadowing of the spiritual healing that comes from looking in faith to the crucified Christ. "Look to Jesus Christ and live!"