Walking By Faith | The Sign of the Bronze Serpent

"The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin."   - A. W. Tozer, American Christian pastor (1897-1963)

Initially, after departing from Egypt, the Israelites spirits were high and their energy lively. Along the way God taught and enlightened them about Himself, and their own immorality and wickedness.

By and by, God delivered them to the mountain (Mount Sinai) where He had revealed Himself to Moses. While there He passed along his instructions for the people to Moses (Exodus 19:16–20). 

 

Not long after the momentous Mount Sinai event, God led the people to the verge of the Promised Land. Spies were sent out to explore the land, but when the Israelites heard the report their belief crumbled (Numbers 13:1-3, 17-21, 25-33; 14:1-10).

Consequently, because of their lack of faith, they were sent by God to wander the desert for 40 years until that unbelieving and disobedient generation had ceased to exist (Numbers 14: 28-34). But even after all of this, troubles would re-appear.

Numbers 21 displays renewed discouragement by the Israelites, and their unbelief causing them to grumble against Moses for leading them to the desert (wilderness). They overlooked the fact that this was due to their own sin and not Moses.

We can become impatient and short-tempered when things don't happen as planned. The Israelites complained about their lack of supplies, such as food and water. This was not true, as God had been providing these things.

Their whining and discontent was unjust since God had generously supplied them with His abundant blessings. Thus, their rebellious spirit caused a plague of fiery serpents from God to come down on them. Many were snake-bitten and died.

In short, Moses interceded for the people. God instructed him to make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. He ensured that anyone that suffered a snake bite could look at the bronze serpent and live. 

Following God's instructions, Moses did exactly as he was told. As a result those who looked upon the serpent were healed (Numbers 21:4-9). The Bronze Serpent functions as a powerful symbol of God's mercy and provision of all the needs of his followers.

This exemplifies the principle of belief and compliance, as in order for the people to be healed they were required to look at the serpent. The act of "looking" being an indication of their faith in God's assurance and provision.

Interestingly, Jesus mentions the Bronze Serpent in John 3:14-15,  likening the serpent lifted up in the desert to His own crucifixion. In these verses the Bronze Serpent is viewed as a "type" of Christ, pointing to His sacrificial death on the cross. 

And just as the Israelites were healed by looking at the bronze serpent, believers are accorded eternal life by "looking to" Christ in faith. The Bronze Serpent account provides us with valuable insight regarding the importance of faith and obeying God's commands.

Conversely, 2 Kings 18:4 illustrates our inclination to make immoral what is sacred, converting symbols of divine grace into those of idolatry. We must be careful about the danger of worshiping symbols instead of the God they represent!

The account of the Bronze Serpent inspires believers to place our focus on Christ who is the ultimate source of healing and salvation, and not on religious symbols; hence always bringing the honor to God, and Him alone.

Scripture: Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 11:1; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Malachi 2:2; John 8:31-32

Prayer: "Dear Lord, I thank and praise You for all of the gifts You have given me in my life. I humbly ask You to bless me with everything that I need. To You my loving Savior, I give my deepest love and worship. Amen." 

Sincerely with the Grace of God,

Sloane