A Cure For Snakebites

A Cure for Snakebites

Q: What did the Israelites have to do to be cured from the snakebites they received for complaining against God and Moses yet again?

• a. drink bitter water
• b. look at a bronze snake Moses made
• c. cut the bite and suck out the poison

Movie hero Indiana Jones is known for his bullwhip, fedora hat, and leather jacket. He’s also known for his phobia of snakes. Of course, Indiana Jones is able to succeed in his missions despite snake encounters.

The Israelites had a different snake problem. The people were complaining again, and God sent poisonous snakes that bit them. God told Moses to make a replica of the snake and attach it to a pole. Anyone who looked at it would live.

The bronze snake was important for more than just curing the deadly snakebites. It was a symbol of Jesus. John 3:14-15 says, “As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.” Think about this:

• Jesus was lifted up on the cross just as the bronze snake was lifted up on the pole.
• We look to Jesus for salvation just as the Israelites looked to the snake for salvation from death.
• There is no way to be saved other than through Jesus alone, and there was no other way for the Israelites to be saved from death except by the bronze snake.

Unfortunately many years later the people made the snake an idol, so King Hezekiah destroyed it (see 2 Kings 18:4). It’s okay to worship Jesus, but it wasn’t okay to worship the bronze snake. The snake alone had no power. The power belonged to God.

For You

Jesus has the power to forgive sins and heal broken lives. Put your trust in him, not in possessions or other people.

Answer: b

Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!   Numbers 21:9

(The Whole Story: Numbers 21:4-9)