The bronze serpent that was commanded by God to build and erect has its purpose: to heal His murmuring people of the affliction of serpents’ bite. It served as its source of healing as long as the afflicted victims looked up in faith towards the bronze structure. That was its sole purpose. It was not to be worshipped on as God would not want them to do that. In His ten commandments, the first and second commandment stated clearly that HIS people should not worship other gods nor are they to make carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. They are not to bow down to them nor serve them as gods. That structure was strictly an object of healing and not for other purposes; definitely not for man to worship upon.
Co-incidentally, snakes were used to punish the rebellious murmuring people of their sins. Why did God not use other creature, perhaps, scorpions and spiders which are plenty and native in the desert? But He chose snakes as His means to punish, heal and save His recalcitrant people. To understand more, we must delve deeper into the bible, to the beginning of man at the Garden of Eden. After the advent of sin into the world, just before the parting of ways between God, man and the old serpent, God did some things that have relevance to the topic discussed today.
God meted out the punishments of sins on the three condemned parties: the man, his spouse and the cunning serpent. All three guilty parties were cursed differently for their involvements in the great tragedy and destruction of the beautiful creation that God made. Interestingly, there were three accused in the Garden of Eden as there were also three hung on Mount Golgotha, Calvary. All three were also sinners just like the three in the Garden of Eden. Wait a minute, did I infer that Jesus was a sinner and that is why He was crucified? Yes and No. In 2 Corinthians 5: 21, it stated that “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” So, a righteous man was punished on behalf of us, the unrighteous ones. And by His one sacrifice, we are then made righteous demanded by God through Jesus Christ. At that moment after the pronouncement of the curses, the plan for humanity salvation was hatched. God already visualised the happenings that will come to past four thousand years later at Calvary. The serpent was cursed, so was Jesus as He took our sins upon Himself. Galatians 3: 13 clearly states that “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree” so Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. Praise the Lord!
Just as with the bronze serpent on the cross, but Jesus was hung on the cross for our redemption of sins. The Israelites needed to look through the lens of faith at the structure to be healed. Similarly, we too are to look at the cross and accept by faith that Christ Jesus was our propitiation for our sins, we will be saved. In both healing instances, be it physical or spiritual, it required us to have faith in it. This is a lesson about faith. Although, it does look silly or illogical to think that just by looking at that object, the bronze serpent could heal anyone from the venomous snake bite. Some would think that it is preposterous that salvation is simply about believing and accepting Christ as our savior would ensure our destiny in heaven.
In the first place, why God sent the fiery serpents to punish the people and then, made Moses to erect the bronze replica to remedy the damage. The most gracious God was in disgust at His people for rebellion and also, they despised of His provision of the heavenly manna. This spoke of the importance of the “bread” that was provided to sustain the people’s lives. But the people rejected it and brought their condemnation. God being gracious and His loving kindness will not bear to see His people suffer. So, the bronze serpent was erected to remedy the damage. The replica of the snake on the cross was a symbol of their sin, and therefore, was a reminder of judgment. This act of love also foreshadowed the ultimate Gift of Salvation by Christ Jesus on the cross at Calvary. Similarly, the gracious and loving God would not want the world to be perished eternally that He sent His only begotten Son to save and redeem the world of sin. That was God’s perfect salvation plan that Christ Jesus came to be born and die on the cross for our spiritual redemption. On the cross, He became sins as He took upon Himself the sin and judgment of this world as stated in Galatians 3:13.
The connection between the serpent on the cross and the Son of God on the cross was, both served as a reminder. The former reminded them of their sin, judgment and healing but the latter reminded us of sin, justification and healing.
The enmity and feud between the woman’s seed and the seed of the serpent will culminate at Calvary where the fulfillment of the prophetic curse on Satan happened. The old serpent will bruise the feet of our savior, while the Son of Man when lifted up, will bruise the head of the serpent. Christ Jesus triumphed over sins and death were the greatest TKO delivered to Satan in the confrontation for the ransom of mankind. Hallelujah!
If the bronze serpent on the cross was an instrument of healing that God implemented to heal its people. Then, God gave His Son to be lifted on the cross was far more superior to the mere bronze serpent’s efficacy and power of healing. The superiority of the cross bought our salvation to all who would believe in Him, will have eternal life. I am definitely convinced too that if the bronze serpent can heal, how much more will the sacrifice of Christ on the cross would bring. Therefore, when the Son of Man was lifted up, all who would believe in Him are not only saved eternally, but those who are sick or ill will by the power of the resurrected Christ to be made whole. That is the superiority of the new covenant of Grace.