Look Upon the Serpent? And be Supernaturally Healed?
Don’t fear – this is not some article about fringe people in the backwater handling snakes as part of some sort of pseudo-Christian ceremony :). However, 
in the Bible there is a mysterious event involving serpents that occurred while the ancient Jewish people were wandering in the desert. If we understand the meaning of the event, it provides a great revelation of what supernatural healing really means.
The event begins in Numbers 21 with the people complaining and turning away from God. A highly unusual rash of venomous snakes came into the camp, and many people died. These snakes were so poisonous that anyone who was bitten died; there were no exceptions. The people came to Moses, and Moses went to God for a solution. God’s unusual solution was:
The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived. – Numbers 21:8-9
Now the image of the serpent in the Bible is hardly a good one. The multidimensional being who is the essence of evil took the form of a serpent when seducing humans into making The Fall – when sin entered the universe and all creation fell under entropy and death. The additional detail that the image was made of brass is even more strange, as
brass is associated with sin in the ancient Judaic priesthood. So why would God choose a serpent on a pole made of the metal of judgement and sin to be a symbol of healing and redemption?
This question is answered by Christ himself:
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
What does Christ mean? Why would Christ compare himself with the serpent; a symbol of evil in Judeo understanding? The fact is, when Christ died on the cross, he took upon himself every sin, hurt, pain that had ever and will ever torment the human race; past, present, and future. Christ literally
became every hurt and sin (
2 Corinthians 5:21) – the pain of every human who has and will ever live was in Christ. This explains why when Christ was
anticipating his death
he sweated blood. Christ’s death was not ordinary; it was the most massive supernatural event ever- God himself became sin. But it did not end with death. Christ came back to life and conquered this sin so we all could share in this eternal life and healing. Hundreds of years before Christ came the prophet Isaiah foretold this healing power in his death and life.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
So when Moses was told to have the people look upon the brass serpent he was foreshadowing the healing and redemption that only comes through the death of sin itself, which came upon God the Son. Through this sacrifice we look not on a symbol, but a very real hope of eternal life – the cross and the empty tomb of Christ.
Malisa Rose on Wed, 14th Nov 2012 11:43 am
Good article. Many times I have wondered about this event, but could never figure out the correlation between this and any other passage.
Rodney Henderson on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 12:46 am
Drywind we are kindred spirits as they say and think alike. I’m a believer in the idea that if you pray and continue following the word( the logos – Jesus and the scriptures) that you’ll get a “rhema” ( word in your ear). That God reveals more to you from his fathomless word. So I keep looking and finding always aware of the danger to the other believers who might be stumbled by deeper revelations. I say that to say, your answer about the brazen serpent on the cross is very well put and I have long believed that reason and have asked the same questions. I know this is years later but I discovered another reason for this symbol recently that goes along with this but is different.
I looked up Seraphim the 2 times they were mentioned and discovered hints in Strongs Exhaustive concordance that they were “serpentine” or “fiery serpent” angels ,these highest of angels who flanked the Lord God Jehovah. so looking upon these symbolized God Almighty also, possibly. No wonder Satan tries to appear as a snake first and then a dragon. AS a Cherub he wants to elevate himself. This is not earth shattering but i had to tell someone. Wow what a God!
Oh this might help new believers but Strongs designations on “word” suggest that “Logos” is the written word ;a potential promise for us (money in the bank) and “Rhema” is God whispering in your ear saying it’s yours today(giving you access for withdrawing it for you.) . All the Rhema words have action associated with them. So pray until Rhema comes.
drywind on Fri, 18th Jan 2013 8:13 am
Thanks again Rodney for reminding us the Holy Spirit right here with believers ready to reveal His perfect Love and insight into the battle that rages around us. The word you’ve given here means more than you know. Perfect timing for some personal trials:
“but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:10
danny on Thu, 24th Oct 2013 8:59 am
Great revelation Drywind. It is true that iron sharpeneth iron.
@Rodney; Its always amazing the levels of revelation that can be revealed from God’s word. Seraphims being serpentine is something new to me and i will be doing further study and prayer to know more.
however, studying the bible reveals the different types of angels in shape, form and function. As believers angels are assigned to us at any given level of our growth. There are strong and weak angel. The prince of the kingdom of Persia detained the angel of God(which i believe was arch angel gabriel) until the prince of Israel (arch angel michael) came to rescue him. Angels assigned to believers function based on their (the believers) knowledge of God. Having this consciousness, believers should always be mindful of their location. Being in church listening to God’s Word helps your angel to know God much more and function better for your sake.
1Peter 1:9-12 ” Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”